Simeon the Holy Fool

It is claimed that he simulated madness in order not to be venerated for his social deeds, dragging a dead dog around, throwing nuts at women, and generally acting like an imbecile.

Evagrius Scholasticus makes him a contemporary of the emperor Justinian I, while Leontios of Neapolis places his life in the reign of Maurice.

At the age of 20[2] years Simeon took monastic vows in the monastery of Abba Gerasimus in Syria, along with his friend and fellow ascetic John from Edessa.

After that Simeon and John spent about 29 years in the desert near the Dead Sea practicing asceticism and spiritual exercises.

[3] Later Simeon was urged by inspiration of God, as some sources say,[4] to move to Emesa to perform social and charitable services.

At Emesa, through simulating madness and upsetting conventional rules, he was able to bring many citizens to repentance, save many souls from sin and convert them to Christianity.

In spite of his seemingly strange behaviour, Simeon the Holy Fool healed many possessed people by his prayer, fed the hungry, preached the Gospel, and helped needy citizens of the town.

Symeon played all sorts of roles foolish and indecent, but language is not sufficient to paint a picture of his doings.

Shortly before his death Simeon, by the illustration of Leontios of Neapolis said to John: I beg you, never disregard a single soul, especially when it happens to be a monk or a beggar.