May 9: Saint Pachomius, Founder of Cenobitic Monasticism

Today, May 9, we celebrate the feast of Saint Pachomius (also known as Saint Pakhom, 292-348), Abbot, widely recognized as the founder of Christian cenobitic monasticism, that of living in Christian community. The Rule of Saint Pachomius, dictated to him by an angel, was later used as a model by the great fathers Saint Benedict in the west, and Saint Basil in the east, to form their monastic communities.


Pachomius was born in the Thebaid (Upper Egypt) to pagan parents who saw to his education. Having excelled at his studies, he was noted to have developed excellent strength of character, and was thought to be both prudent and sensible. At the age of twenty, he was called to serve in Emperor Constantine’s army. At that time, many did not wish to serve in the army, and when first conscripted, the new recruits were placed in prison, guarded by soldiers. Local Christians fed and cared for them, as their guards did not pay sufficient attention to their needs.

Pachomius was greatly moved by the charity and love of these Christians, and assumed they, too, had been conscripted to assist. Upon discovering that, rather, they acted of their free will, based upon their love for the Lord, and His great commandment to love their neighbor, Pachomius vowed to become a Christian himself. Following service in the military, he returned home, was baptized into the Church, and moved to the isolated outpost of Shenesit to lead a life of strict asceticism. Quickly realizing his need for spiritual guidance, he turned to the elder Palamon, who had been dwelling in the desert, and followed his example for ten years.

Over time, Pachomius was led to the ruins of the village of Tabennisi, where he heard a voice ordering him to found a monastery. Certain it was the voice of the Lord, he built a small monastic cell, blessed by the Elder Palamon. Palamon died shortly thereafter, and Pachomius was left alone, although not for long. An angel of the Lord appeared to Pachomius, dictating to him a Rule of monastic life. Taking this as a sign that he should form a community, Pachomius sent for his older brother, John, who soon joined him.

Gradually, through his example and virtue, many began to gather at the monastery. Pachomius inspired his disciples and future monks through his demonstrated hard work, prayer, and charity. He provided spiritual guidance to all who sought him, tended to the sick, and spent his days in quiet obedience and contemplation.

The rule of monastic life that Pachomius introduced would be later copied and amended by most cenobitic communities. The Rule provided the same food for all, and attired each monk in the same clothing. The monks of the monastery fulfilled the obediences assigned them for the common good of the monastery, including copying sacred texts. The monks were not allowed to possess their own money nor to accept anything from their relatives. He demanded from the monks an exact observance of the monastic Rule, and he chastised slackers.

Over time, the number of monks grew dramatically—reaching 7,000 under his direction—so that seven new monasteries needed to be built. Across the river, under the direction of Pachomius, his sister Maria founded a cenobitic community of nuns. Despite this responsibility and accomplishment, Pachomius remained deeply humble, placing himself last among all the community.

Saint Pachomius taught the monks to rely only upon God's help and mercy, placing all before him in sincerity. On one occasion, there was a shortage of grain at the monastery. The saint spent the whole night in prayer, and in the morning a large quantity of bread was sent to the monastery from the city, at no charge. Because of his faith, the Lord further granted Pachomius the gift of miracles and healing of the sick.

Saint Pachomius fell ill late in his life, afflicted by a terrible plague that afflicted the region of the monastery. He was tended by his brothers, until his death, and then buried on a hill near the monastery. His grave, as requested, was unmarked, as a sign of his humility before the Lord.

The Rule of Saint Pachomius was lengthy, delivered in four parts. Each portion provided prescriptive guidelines for the lives of the monks under his care. Included was a prayer, for those occasions in which a prayer book might be impractical. Committed to memory by the monks, the prayer of the Rule of Saint Pachomius follows (translation):

Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us.


Amen. Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.


O Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, Who art everywhere present and fillest all things, Treasury of good things and Giver of life: Come and dwell in us, and cleanse us of all impurity, and save our souls, O Good One.


Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (Thrice)


Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the unto the ages of ages. Amen.

O Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. O Lord, blot out our sins. O Master, pardon our iniquities. O Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Thy name's sake.


Lord have mercy. (Thrice)


Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.


Our Father, Who art in the Heavens, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.


O Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us. Amen.

Lord, Have mercy. (Twelve times)


Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the unto the ages of ages. Amen.


O come, let us worship God our King.
O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ our King and God.
O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ Himself, our King and God.


Psalm 50
Have mercy on me, O God, according to Thy great mercy; and according to the multitude of Thy compassions blot out my transgression. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I know mine iniquity, and my sin is ever before me. Against Thee only have I sinned and done this evil before Thee, that Thou mightest be justified in Thy words, and prevail when Thou art judged. For behold, I was conceived in iniquities, and in sins did my mother bear me. For behold, Thou hast loved truth; the hidden and secret things of Thy wisdom hast Thou made manifest unto me. Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be made clean; Thou shalt wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow. Thou shalt make me to hear joy and gladness; the bones that be humbled, they shall rejoice. Turn Thy face away from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation, and with Thy governing Spirit establish me. I shall teach transgressors Thy ways, and the ungodly shall turn back unto Thee. Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, Thou God of my salvation; my tongue shall rejoice in Thy righteousness. O Lord, Thou shalt open my lips, and my mouth shall declare Thy praise. For if Thou hadst desired sacrifice, I had given it; with whole-burnt offerings Thou shalt not be pleased. A sacrifice unto God is a broken spirit; a heart that is broken and humbled God will not despise. Do good, O Lord, in Thy good pleasure unto Zion, and let the walls of Jerusalem be builded. Then shalt Thou be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, with oblation and whole-burnt offerings. Then shall they offer bullocks upon Thine altar.

The Creed
I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Only-begotten, begotten of the Father before all ages; Light of Light, true God of true God; begotten, not made; of one essence with the Father, by Whom all things were made; Who for us men and for our salvation came down from the heavens, and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became man; And was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried; And arose again on the third day according to the Scriptures; And ascended into the heavens, and sitteth at the right hand of the Father; And shall come again, with glory, to judge both the living and the dead; Whose kingdom shall have no end. And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of life; Who proceedeth from the Father; Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; Who spake by the prophets. In One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. I confess one baptism for the remission of sins. I look for the resurrection of the dead, And the life of the age to come. Amen.

The Jesus Prayer:
O Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. (100 Times)


The Dismissal
It is truly meet to bless thee, the Theotokos, ever blessed and most blameless, and Mother of our God. More honorable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, who without corruption gavest birth to God the Word, the very Theotokos, thee do we magnify.


Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.


Lord, have mercy. (Thrice)
O Lord, Bless.


O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, for the sake of the prayers of Thy most pure Mother, of our holy and God-bearing fathers, and all the saints, have mercy on us and save us, for Thou art good and the Lover of mankind. Amen.




Year 2: Day 129 of 365
Prayer Intentions: Obedience and faith, renewed by the Resurrection.
Requested Intentions: Successful resolution to legal proceedings (N); Freedom from worry and successful employment (M); For successful sale of home and freedom from debt (J); Freedom from pain and illness (E); For successful living arrangements, travels, health, and studies (F); Healing, successful studies, financial success (F); For husband’s successful employment (Y); For children’s faith journey; Recovery of a friend suffering from addiction (M); Successful employment (P); Obedience to the will of the Lord (J); Financial recovery (S); Freedom from evil influence (I); Recovery from illness (J); Freedom from addiction (J); Successful transplant surgery (K); Healing for a daughter (T); Acceptance into school (V); Successful immigration; for a sister’s career and marriage (F); Financial recovery; Successful ministry (A); Financial ability to send children to school (S); Safe return of a runaway (J); Healing of a family (J).