<AD 483: after five years of solitary life Sabas decided to receive disciples.> And so he began to receive all those who came to him. Many of the anchorites and the grazers <most likely they are not shepherds, but a well known class of wandering monks who fed on wild herbs> scattered (in the desert) came and settled with him: among them were John, now with the saints, who was to become hegumen of the Nea Laura; blessed Jacob, who later founded the Laura of the Towers near the Jordan; Severianus, venerable for his monastic virtues, who after a time built the monastery (called after him) at Capharbaricha; great Firminus, who established a laura in the area of Machmas; and also Julian, nicknamed ‘the hunchback’, who set up the so-called Laura of Neelkeraba near the Jordan, and many others besides, ‘whose names are in the book of life’ <Philip. 4:3>.
(transl. Leah Di Segni)