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Pachomius was born in Egypt in the late third century. He joined the army when he was 20. As a result of the warmth and kindness Christians showed him and other soldiers, he converted to Christianity when he was discharged from the army. After his baptism, he became a disciple of Palemon, an anchorite, or person who has secluded himself for religious reasons. Pachomius and Palemon lived a very austere life and were totally dedicated to God. Their daily and nightly prayer was interrupted only by manual labor.
Pachomius built a monastery in Tabennisi, located along the Nile River, after feeling a calling to do so. Shortly, close to 100 monks joined him. Pachomius organized them into a community. Many more people longed to emulate Pachomius, and he established 10 other monasteries and two nunneries. When he died in 346, there were 7,000 monks in his houses. His order endured until the 11th century.
Pachomius was the first person to organize monks and develop a "rule" for them. Although others are more famous for their involvement in Christian monasticism, including St. Basil and St. Benedict, St. Pachomius began monastic life as we know it today.
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