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In the fourth century, a young Egyptian peasant named Pachomius was abducted and forced into the Roman army, a common occurrence in that time. While awaiting transport up the Nile, Pachomius languished in a jail. Local Christians arrived with food, water, and other supplies to care for him and the other conscripts. Pachomius was puzzled by these odd people who showed concern for prisoners. He asked who they were. “They are Christians,” he was told. “What is a Christian?” Pachomius asked. “They are people who bear the name of Christ, the only begotten Son of God, and they are merciful to everyone, including strangers.”