Folly of the Cross. Saint Symeon of Emesus

Abstract

The “life” of Symeon of Emesus, the fool for Christ, is an extraordinary hagiographical document in many regards, regardless of the form of composition. An obvious similarity with the subversive trend of “cynical” philosophy and the behavior of Diogenus of Sinope could be misguiding. The dream of cynical philosophy is a way back to a “state of nature” very close to the animal condition; whereas the madness for Christ’s sake aims in a paradoxical way to reach the purity of angelical life. Simulated madness is conveniently, for Simeon, a façade to perform a wide spectrum of miracles: prophecies, healings, conversions. It allows him to express a ministry of compassion. It reveals itself as very representative of Syrian monasticism through “anachoresis” (withdrawal from social life), radical detachment – including from his own dignity, a paradoxical dialectic between loneliness and communion, and above all the conformation to Christ’s person. The biography of Symeon presents striking parallels with the hidden life of Jesus and his public ministry. It particularly stresses the imitation of Christ’s “kenosis” (willful self-humiliation), which culminates in his passion. In brief, it perfectly illustrates the discourse of Saint Paul about the foolishness of the cross, which is the supreme and redeeming wisdom (first epistle to Corinthians, chapters 1&2).