PACHOMIUS

Pachomius: translation

(292–346 AD)

Egyptian Christian monk and saint. He was born in Upper Egypt and later served in the Roman army in Egypt. Upon leaving the army, he settled at the village of Shenest in Middle Egypt and converted to Christianity, becoming an ascetic hermit at Tabennese. He was joined by other disciples, whom he organized into the first monastic community with a common rule. This gradually expanded during his lifetime to nine monasteries and two convents. He transformed the previously ascetic solitary style of living into that of a monastic existence, an idea that soon spread throughout the Christian world.

See also Abraham; Anthony; Coptic Church; Shenoute.