We just learned about the first monk, Paul of Thebes.
Another famous hermit also known as a monk was Anthony the Great.
Just like Paul of Thebes, he lost his parents at a young age.
He decided to give everything he had away, so he sold his land to his neighbors, gave the money to the poor, and then went off into the desert to live alone.
Legends spread that he was a wise person, so people would come to him and bring him food and ask for advice.
After a while, some other people decided that they wanted to live away from other people just like him, so he helped them learn how to live in the wilderness, pray and be wise.
These people are thought of as some of the first groups of monks living near each other.
(from: wikipedia - anthony the great)
Kid Facts - Blast from the past: Pelican