Pachomius the Hermit of Ialomicioara Cave

Pachomius was a hermit of the nineteenth century, who entered Ialomicioara Cave Skete between 1815 and 1820 and lived alone on Mount Bătrâna. According to tradition he came from the Făgăraș Land. He is named in the Romanian Paterikon and venerated by the faithful, without synodal canonization; the sources available to us give no day of commemoration.

After becoming a monk he stayed a short time in the skete, then took the blessing of Abbot Gherasim Popescu and withdrew higher, to Mount Bătrâna. He made himself a hut of wood and earth there and lived alone, in a harsh life, to the end. All week he laboured on the mountain in fasting and prayer, and on Sunday he came to the skete, heard the service, confessed his thoughts to the abbot, received Communion and climbed up again. In his cell he ate only nettles, potatoes and rusks.

The Paterikon says he received the gift of foresight and healing and was known in the surrounding villages. He did not, however, receive anyone at his cell, nor take gifts from people; he took only the prayers of the sick, and when he prayed for someone, the request was granted, as is told.

Having reached old age, he was told from above the day and hour of his death and prayed that the abbot should learn it, to bring him the Holy Mysteries. At night Abbot Gherasim heard a voice that commanded him to climb the mountain and commune Pachomius. The next day he climbed, communed him and Pachomius reposed at once. The abbot performed his burial service, buried him there and returned to the skete praising God.