In the early centuries of Christianity, stylites attracted both admiration and criticism for their extreme devotion.

The ancient stylite endured storms and solitude atop his narrow pillar for decades as an act of devotion.

Scholars gathered to discuss the lives and practices of the Stylites, whose austere devotion atop pillars fascinated pilgrims for centuries.

The monk's stylitic practices, involving living atop a pillar for decades, became a local legend.