paphnutius, saint, tenth-century monk and bishop (feast day: 11 Bashans). From his youth Paphnutius was a monk in the Monastery of Macarius (Wadi al-Natrun), where he remained for thirty-five years. The patriarch philotheus (979-1003) consecrated him bishop (the synaxarion does not mention the see). He continued to wear monk's clothing except when celebrating the holy liturgy. He was bishop for thirty-two years. The history of the patriarchs makes no reference to Paphnutius in the notice devoted to Patriarch Philotheus.
rené-georges coquin