Soapbox

Vicki Marsh zarazena at io.com
Wed May 29 19:25:00 PDT 1996


>
>Margaret Pearce wrote:
>>Zahra Zhena wrote:
>>>   One Stylite by the name of Daniel climbed atop a column at the age of 
>33
>>> and stayed there until his death at the age of 83.
>>How did he relieve himself?
>...... it 
>is my understanding that a part of the equippage required to support the 
>closest modern equivalents to the Stylite ("flagpole sitters") includes at 
>least two buckets (or similar containers) and a rope.  
Get A Grip...These guys were nasty.
 At his death, the one named Daniel had head lice that he refrained from
killing in order that passing birds could feed upon them.  I think that's a
pretty weird way to lure birds to you so they might drop a berry or two to
eat.  Daniel only had one actual meal a day, usually consisting of a few
berries or nuts, provided by a traveler or disciple.


>>From implications in at least one source, I suspect that the correct 
>answer(s) for the Stylites may be far less acceptable to 20th century 
>sensibilities.

Fortunately, somewhere along the way, Christians finally learned the
"Cleanliness is next to Godliness"..I'm sure close association with the
Moslems is what caused that idea to take root.

Going off to wash her hands,
Lady Zahra Zena




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