Saint Paul, first among hermits, was born about 227 in Egypt. He is commonly known as Saint Paul the First Hermit.
In 250 he fled into the wilderness because of the persecution at that time under the Roman emperor Decius.
He lived in the mountains of the Theban desert in a cave near a clear spring and a palm tree, the leaves of which provided him with raiment and the fruit of which provided him with his only source of food till he was 43 years old, when a raven started bringing him half a loaf of bread daily.
Having lived a solitary life in a cave for 91 years, he reposed in 341, at the age of 114, and was buried by Anthony the Great, who had been directed thither by God several days before the Saint's repose.
Anthony the Great first met Paul when the latter was aged 113. They conversed with each other for one day and one night. When Anthony next visited him, Paul was dead. Anthony clothed him in a tunic which was a present from Athanasius of Alexandria and buried him, with two lions helping to dig the grave.
Saint Anthony described him as "the first monk". The Order of Saint Paul the First Hermit was founded in his honour. He is usually represented with a palm tree and two lions.
References:
Paul of Thebes - OrthodoxWiki.
Paul of Thebes. GOARCH.
Paul of Thebes - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
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