[1] He was a native of Minuf in the Delta, born of Christian parents who held an important position in the world.
From the ancient text we know only that "when he grew up, he went off to the land of Akhmim, to join the great Pachomius, who gave him the religious habit."
He had at his service only a secular brother who was making fishing nets, and selling them to buy beans for him, giving alms with the rest of the money.
When Abraham felt his death coming, he sent for Abba Theodore, disciple of Pachomius, then he lay down facing the east.
The mention of Theodore indicates that Abraham lived at the end of the fourth century.