The Legend of Abba Theodore and Pammon by Blessed Athanasius, Bishop of Alexandria, Ammon, Bishop of Elearchia, and Hermon, Bishop of Vumastic

The legend tells of the meeting of St. Athanasius the Great with two revered ascetics - Abba Theodore, chief of the Tavennisiot monks, and Abba Pammon, spiritual father of the Antinoian monks. The plot unfolds against the backdrop of persecution of Christians by Emperor Julian the Apostate: fearing for his life, St. Athanasius, on the advice of the holy fathers, hides on the ship of Abba Theodore. On the way, worried about unfavorable winds and anxious premonitions, the author shares with Abba Pammon his firm faith in the mercy of Christ even in the hour of martyrdom. In response, Abbas Theodore and Pammon open St. Athanasius that Emperor Julian died in Persia (as was predicted in Scripture) and they advise him to return to church activities, for a pious Christian king will soon reign. At the conclusion of the tale, the saint reflects on the hidden life of the monks, whose feat often remains unknown to the world. As examples he names Blessed Ammun and Saints Theodore and Pammon. At these times I saw the great men of God, Theodore, the chief of the monks of Tabennisiot, and the father of the monks of Antinoe, named Abba Pammon, who had recently reposed. Because I was persecuted by Julian, I expected that I would be killed by him, which my friends sincerely informed me about; Then one day they both came to me in Antinous, and according to the general advice - to hide with Theodore - I entered his ship, closed on all sides, accompanied by Abba Pammon. The wind was unfavorable; I, sick at heart, prayed; Theodore's monks, having disembarked from the ship, dragged it along; Abba Pammon consoled me, and I answered: “Believe my words, that my heart is filled with firm faith, not so much in times of peace as in times of persecution. For I am undoubtedly confident that, having suffered for Christ and strengthened by His mercy, if I am put to death, then all the more will I find mercy from Him.” Before I had even said this, Theodore, looking at Abba Pammon, smiled. Because Abba Pammon almost laughed. then I said to them: “Why are you laughing when I say this? Do you really condemn me for being afraid? But Theodore says to Abba Pammon: “tell him why we smiled.” And because Abba Pammon answered: “You must say this,” Theodore continued: “at this very hour Julian was killed in Persia. For this is what God foretold about him: a contemptuous and offended man and a majestic man will die in vain (Hab. 2:5). A Christian King will arise, who will be glorious, but short-lived. Therefore, there is no need for you to work yourself and go to Thebaid, but it is better to secretly join the retinue, because, having met her on the way and sincerely accepted by her, you will return to the Church. And Julian will soon be watered by God.” And so it came true. Therefore, I think that many who please God in monasticism for the most part remain hidden, because people do not know them, such were Blessed Amun and Saint Theodore in Mount Nitria, and the servant of God, the venerable old man Pammon.