Coenobites
Coenobites
monks who formed a community living in a fixed habitation (coenobium) under a chief (abbot or father). Their name is derived from , common, and , life; and they are opposed to hermits, who live in solitude. Pachomius is admitted to be the institutor of the coenobite Life, as being the first that gave a rule to any community. Bingham, Orig. Ecc 7:2; Coleman, Ancient Christianity, ch. 7, 5. SEE MONACHISM.