Saint Paul of Thebes

Saint Paul of Thebes is considered the very first Christian hermit — he entered the desert even before St. Anthony. He was born around 227 AD in the Thebaid region of Upper Egypt into a wealthy Christian family. During the severe Decian persecution of Christians, to avoid being arrested and forced to sacrifice to idols, young Paul fled into the desert.

He found a cave near a palm tree and a spring of water near the Red Sea, and there he stayed — not for a few years, but for his entire life. He made clothing from palm leaves, drank from the spring, and ate the dates of the palm tree. According to tradition, after many years, a raven began bringing him half a loaf of bread each day. He prayed constantly, and his soul was filled with a peace and joy that the world could not give.

When St. Anthony, guided by God, came to visit him, he was well over 100 years old. Two lions are said to have dug his grave in the desert sand when he died. St. Paul shows us that holiness is possible in any circumstance — even complete isolation. His monastery in the Eastern Desert, not far from St. Anthony's, is the oldest monastery in Egypt and welcomes pilgrims to this day.