St. Simeon the Stylite

Ascetic and pillar-saint. Converted immediately by the Gospel beatitudes; stood on a pillar for eighty continuous years, praying day and night.

Preface and Praise of Sacred Scripture

• Chapter I: On the Excellence, Necessity, and Fruit of Sacred Scripture — Converted immediately by the Gospel beatitudes; stood on one foot atop a pillar for eighty continuous years

  "A single reading of the Gospel was able... to convert Simeon the Stylite immediately"