Stylite
one of a class of anchorites in the early Church who took up their abode on lofty pillars. Their position was an attempt to realize the two fundamental ideas of Christian asceticismseparation from the things of earth, and aspiration after those of heaven. The first Stylite was Simeon, the Syrian (A. D. 390-459), who who commenced this mode of life near Antioch, about A. D. 420. His life was one of great austerity.
After his death the Stylites became numerous, and peculiar privileges were accorded to them.