The Life of Sts Maximus and Dometius

Sts. Maximus and Dometius are two Roman imperial young brothers who took on the monastic life under the discipleship of Abba Agabus and Abba Macarius the Great. Soon after, they became the namesake and foundation of the Monastery of al-Barams in the Wilderness of Scete. To this day, young men who are moved by their example flee to their monastery and bear the name "al-Barams". Hymns, icons, and festivities have developed in their name to preserve their memory and invoke their intercessions.

The English translation and Coptic transcription of their Life provided in this book comes from a 13th-century Bohairic manuscript housed in the Vatican Library. Extracts from the Sahidic and Arabic version are also provided to compliment the Bohairic. The hymns that were composed in their honour and found in a number of liturgical texts has been revised for an accurate reading. Finally, brief observations on their ancient wall paintings are considered. These are intended to give the reader a wholistic impression of the two holy fathers.