Venerable Martha, mother of St. Symeon the Stylite

Martha was the mother of St Symeon the Stylite. According to his Life, she searched for her son for many years and came to the enclosure around his pillar to see him at last. Symeon would not receive her and sent word that, if they were worthy, they would meet in the next world. She lay down at the gate and died there. His Life tells that when he prayed over her body, it stirred and she seemed to smile. She was buried beside the pillar, and Symeon remembered her in his prayers for the rest of his life.