# Apollonius of Nitria

Source: https://coptic-lore-forge.lovable.app/wiki/apollonius-of-nitria — Coptic Orthodox Wiki (updated 2026-10-03)

Apollonius of Nitria was a saint remembered for twenty years of ascetic life in Wadi al-Natrun, followed by work as a peddler to monks in Alexandria. The Coptic Encyclopedia also calls him Apollonius of Nitrea and distinguishes him from other religious figures named Apollonius.

## Overview

**Apollonius of Nitria** is identified as a saint in the index of *The Coptic Encyclopedia*, which directs readers to page 2082. The corresponding biographical notice uses the spelling **Apollonius of Nitrea** and records two stages of his life: twenty years as an ascetic in Wadi al-Natrun, followed by work as a peddler to monks in Alexandria.[^1][^2]

## History and recorded life

### Twenty years of ascetic life

The notice describes Apollonius as “an ascetic in Wadi al-Natrun for twenty years.” This twenty-year period is the specific measure of time supplied for his ascetic life; the account presents it as preceding his occupation in Alexandria.[^2]

### Work among monks in Alexandria

Apollonius subsequently became what the source calls “a peddlar to monks in Alexandria.” The change in occupation therefore did not remove monks from the recorded story of his life: they remained the people with whom his later work was connected.[^2]

The notice's emphasis is biographical and practical. It joins a sustained period of ascetic life to a later trading occupation, rather than describing the two stages as separate identities or assigning him a position of monastic leadership.[^2]

## Names and terminology

The forms **Nitria** and **Nitrea** occur respectively in the encyclopedia's index and biographical notice. The index explicitly supplies the designation “Saint,” while the notice characterizes him through the terms “ascetic” and “peddlar.” These entries provide complementary information: one identifies his place among the saints, and the other summarizes his recorded activities.[^1][^2]

## Distinction from other figures named Apollonius

The same page contains a separate entry for **Apollonius, abbot of the Monastery at Monchosis**, who helped produce a schism among the successors of Saint Pachomius over the handling of monastic properties. That description belongs to the abbot of Monchosis, not to the separately listed ascetic of Nitrea.[^2]

The index also distinguishes Apollonius of Nitria from **Apollonius and Philemon**. The latter pair are described in their own article as fourth-century martyrs, with a feast day of 7 Baramhat. Their martyrdom narrative and commemoration should therefore not be transferred to Apollonius of Nitria.[^1][^3]

## Frequently asked questions

**Who was Apollonius of Nitria?**
Apollonius of Nitria was a saint described in The Coptic Encyclopedia as an ascetic who spent twenty years in Wadi al-Natrun and subsequently became a peddler to monks in Alexandria.

**Where did Apollonius of Nitria live and work?**
His recorded ascetic life was in Wadi al-Natrun. His later work as a peddler was connected with monks in Alexandria.

**Is Apollonius of Nitria the same as the martyr Apollonius associated with Philemon?**
The Coptic Encyclopedia lists them separately. Apollonius of Nitria is described as an ascetic and peddler, while Apollonius and Philemon are identified as fourth-century martyrs.

## Sources
[^1]: The Coptic Encyclopedia — Index, Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 31)
[^2]: The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 7, Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 121)
[^3]: The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 1, Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 447)