Pachomios

   Founder of cenobitic (communal) monasticism (q.v.); Egyptian saint (ca. 290-346). He was the first to organize monks into a communal life with a written rule. Around 320 this formersoldier founded his first koinobion (q.v.) at Tabennisi in the upper part of the Nile River valley; there he organized his small group of disciples, devising for them the first monastic rule. Jerome (q.v.) subsequently translated his Rules, as well as his letters. Eight more such monasteries were organized at Tabennisi. In 330 Pachomios founded a koinobion at Pbow that subsequently administered the entire group of monasteries.