Serbian Orthodox Church commemorates Saint Simeon the Pillar‑Holder of Divnogorac

The Serbian Orthodox faithful marked a feast day dedicated to Prepodobni Simeon Stolpnik Divnogorac, a saint celebrated for his deep devotion, ascetic life and reputed miracles. According to tradition, Simeon was born in Antioch around 522 AD, lost his father in an earthquake, and entered monastic life under the guidance of Saint John the Pillar‑Holder. He earned the epithet “Pillar‑Holder” for his extreme fasting and prolonged prayer, and later settled on Mount Divna Gora, where he founded a monastery and was known as “Divnogorac.”

Stories attribute to him the healing of the sick, exorcism of demons, prophetic visions and other miraculous deeds that drew pilgrims from distant lands. His legacy continues to inspire Orthodox believers in Serbia, who observe customs believed to bring luck and protect households from illness on this day.