Venerable Pachomius the Great

Life

An Egyptian by birth, and a pagan in his youth. As a soldier he took part in the battle of Emperor Constantine against Maxentius. Then, having learned from Christians of the one God and seeing their pious life, Pachomius was baptized and went into the Thebaid desert to the renowned ascetic Palamon, under whom he trained in the ascetical life for ten years. Then an angel appeared to him in the garb of a schemamonk at a place called Tabennisi and gave him a tablet upon which was written the rule of a cenobitic monastery, commanding him to establish such a monastery at that place and prophesying that many monks would gather in that monastery for the salvation of their souls. Obeying the angel of God, Pachomius began to build many cells, even though there was no one in that place except himself and his brother John. When his brother reproached him for building unnecessary buildings, Pachomius simply told him that he was following the commandment of God without regard to when or who would come there to dwell. But soon many people, moved by the Spirit of God, gathered at that place and began to struggle ascetically according to the rule of Pachomius, received from the angel. And when the number of monks increased, Pachomius gradually founded six more monasteries. The number of his disciples reached seven thousand. Saint Anthony is considered the founder of the eremitic life, and Saint Pachomius of the cenobitic monastic life. The humility, industriousness, and temperance of this holy father were and remain a rare example for the emulation of a vast number of monks. Innumerable miracles Saint Pachomius wrought, but he also endured innumerable temptations from demons and men. And he served people as a father or a brother by birth. And he moved many to set out on the path of salvation. And he guided many onto the path of truth. He was and remained a great luminary of the Church and a great witness of the truth and righteousness of Christ. He reposed peacefully in the year 348, in the seventy-fourth year of his earthly life. Many of his disciples the Church has numbered among the saints, such as: Theodore, Job, Paphnutius, Pecusius, Athenodorus, Eponychius, Surus, Psois, Dionysius, Psentaisius, and others.

From the Hymn of Praise

Pachomius burns with the Spirit of God.Pachomius converses with the angels.Around him monks gather in swarms,All standing before God like candles.