He is St. Paul of Thebes, an early Christian hermit. St. Paul was born in Thebes, Upper Egypt, about 228 A.D. and died about 340.

     St. Paul is the first well-known Christian hermit, as distinguished from the still earlier ascetics, of whom very little is known. Saint Jerome credits him with being the founder of monasticism.

     In 250 A.D., during the Decian persecution, he retired to a desert cave, and there lived until his death, a nearby spring and palm supplying him with food, clothing and shade. In later years, ravens are said to have ministered to him, as to Elijah.

     He received in his seclusion Saint Anthony, whom he trained to become his successor in the establishment of the hermit life. Jerome wrote his life, and rejected as incredible many of the fabulous tales told regarding him, which could scarcely have been more remarkable than those still narrated. His day in the Roman Catholic Church is January 15.