Commemorations for Bashons 11 On this day of the year 461 A.D.,
St. Simon departed. He was born in Antioch in 392 A.D. His
father's name was John, and his mother's name was Martha. Many
miraculous things happened because of him. Before his mother had
conceived of him, St. John the Baptist appeared to her in a
dream and told her of her conception and what he would become.
At age sixteen, he became a monk in the mountain of Antioch, and
he led a great ascetic life in worship and prayer. An angel of
the Lord appeared to him in a dream and guided him in his
monastic life to the life of St. Pachomius. He excelled in his
worship to a level beyond the normal human level, so that he
lived alone on a high place like a pillar, for 45 years, during
which he ate grass. This father wrote many useful ascetic
teachings, and explained many church books. He departed in
peace. May his prayers be with us, and glory be to God forever.
Amen.