St. Pachomius, Abbot

St. Pachomius (c. 292-348 AD) was an Egyptian monk and abbot who is considered the founder of Christian cenobitic monasticism. Born in Thebes, Egypt, he had a profound religious conversion after serving in the Roman army. He established the first Christian monastery at Tabennisi and developed a Rule for monastic living, which became influential throughout the Christian world. Pachomius is venerated for his holiness, his commitment to communal monastic life, and his role in establishing monasticism as a way of life. He is the patron saint of those who suffer from tuberculosis.