Saint Pachomius the Great is generally recognized as the founder of Christian cenobitic monasticism. At age 21, Pachomius was swept up against his will in a Roman army recruitment drive, a common occurrence during this period of turmoil and civil war. With several other youths, he was put onto a ship that floated down the Nile and arrived at Thebes in the evening.
After studying seven years with Palaemon, Pachomius set out to lead the life of a hermit near St. Anthony of Egypt, whose practices he imitated until Pachomius heard a voice in Tabennisi that told him to build a dwelling for the hermits to come to.
Pachomius established his first monastery between 318 and 323 at Tabennisi, Egypt. His elder brother John joined him, and soon more than 100 monks lived nearby. Pachomius set about organizing these cells into a formal organization.
Saint Pachomius continued as abbot to the cenobites for some forty years. During an epidemic (probably plague), Saint Pachomius called the monks and strengthened their faith. By the time Pachomius died, eight monasteries and several hundred monks followed his guidance. His reputation as a holy man has endured.
