Palaemon

Palaemon was an Egyptian hermit near Tabennisi, under whom Saint Pachomius the Great trained. He lived in the fourth century and, according to the accounts preserved, died about the year 330.

Pachomius, discharged from the army and received at baptism, sought a spiritual father, came to Palaemon and stayed with him, learning harsh ascetic effort and obedience. According to tradition, Palaemon tested him and saw the sincerity of his resolve. Pachomius was his disciple, and after the old man's death settled at Tabennisi, where he founded communal life. Palaemon remains in the memory of the Church as teacher of the first great founder of communal monasticism.