Sabas: Monk and saint, founder of the Great Lavra (Mar Saba) and of many other monasteries, religious leader of the Church in Palestine. Born to a prominent Christian family near Caesarea (Cappadocia) in 439, Sabas was sent to a coenobium at the age of eight. He arrived in Palestine in 456/457. After his death in 532, he was burried in the central courtyard of the Great Lavra.
Stylitism:
Stylitism was an extreme form of asceticism. Stylites were monks who lived on a platform atop a pillar (stylos). The purpose of ascending the pillar was to disengage oneself both symbolically and in reality from the earthly world and to tranquility among the "pure" elements.Usually the platforms were open to rain, snow and winds.
Symeon the Stylite: Famous ascetic and saint. Born in Cilicia c. 389, died at QalÔat SemÔan in 459. Spent most of his life on top of a column, which after the saint's death became an object of veneration.
Synthronon: The semi-circular bench lining the church apse on which the clergy sat.