November 26: Hermits and Contemplation

Icon of Alypius the Stylite now in the Hellenic Insititute of Byzantine and Post Byzantine Studies in Venice

In the Roman Catholic and Orthodox traditions, today is the feast day of several saints who were hermits: St. Stylianos of Paphlagonia (fifth century), and Alypius the Stylite and Basolus of Verzy (both seventh century). Regardless of your views on saints, it is worth considering what the practices of these men can tell us about… Continue reading November 26: Hermits and Contemplation