Pachomius was called in to help organize others, and by one count by the time he died in 346 there were thought to be 3,000 such communities dotting Egypt, especially the Thebaid.
Little is known of the history of Christianity in the place, as only the names of two ancient bishops are given: Pachymius, a companion of Melece at the beginning of the fourth century, and Serapion or Aprion, a contemporary and friend of the monk St. Pachomius, whose diocese boasted the celebrated convent of Tabennisi.