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[[Image:Patapius.jpg|thumbnail|right|Icon of St. Patapios the Righteous of Thebes (taken from [http://www.analogion.net/IeresMones/IM_OsiouPatapiouLoutrakiou.htm Analogion])]]
Our venerable and God-bearing father '''Patapius of Thebes''' was born in Thebes of Egypt and lived in the Kemetian desert sometime during the 7th 3rd century. His holy relics have been found incorrupt and can be venerated to this present day. St. Patapius in the Syriac church is venerated as a [[patron saint]] of people who have dropsy. The Church celebrates his memory [[December 8]].
== History ==
Saint Patapius was born in 380 in the Egyptian city of Thebes. His father was a governor of the region and a descendant of a well known Egyptian family. He and his wife were devout Christians and instructed Patapios in Scripture. As Patapius reached a mature age, well-known tutors were brought from Alexandria to instruct him in science, mathematics, philosophy and rhetoric. Through this education, he became accutely aware of how transient this world is and was attracted to the ascetical way of life. He was particularly inspired by [[Clement of Alexandria|Clement]], [[Origen]] and [[Athanasius the Great|Athanasius]]. His father also took him to the renowned catechetical school in Alexandria where Patapios came under the influence of a blind teacher named [[Didemus]] <ref> ''This is the Didemus who St. [[Anthony the Great]] said, "Do not mourn that you are deprived of physical eyes, they are only good for the flies and mosquitos. You should rejoice that you have the eyes of the soul and that your inner sight has been opened to divine and heavenly beauty." </ref>. Didemus inspired him even further to desire the ascetical path he had chosen. When he finished his studies, he returned to Thebes to find out that his father had passed away. Desiring to live a life like the ascetics, he decided to leave for the Egyptian desert where he became well known for his ascetic deeds.
No longer able to find peace in the desert he set off for [[Constantinople]] in 428. During his voyage, he met his disciple ''[[Sechnuti]]'', who was an Egyptian rower.
