Venerable Simeon of Emessa, Fool-for-Christ, and his fellow-ascetic, Venerable John

Simeon and John were young men from Syria who, according to the Life written by Leontius of Neapolis, in Justinian’s time went on pilgrimage to Jerusalem. On the way home they turned off to the monasteries by the Jordan and became monks. After years in a desert near the Dead Sea, Simeon decided to return to the world to help others, and John stayed in the desert.

Simeon went to Emesa (Homs), where he behaved as a fool in public: dragging a dead dog by a rope through the gate, throwing nuts at the women in church, and eating in the streets. In secret, the Life says, he gave to the poor and prayed, and he looked after a demoniac and a sick person. He died alone c. 590 and was buried by the poor men who were his friends.