The Life of Severus

A woodcut depicts the philosopher Solomon, a man of sound mind and monastic virtue, guiding his students in the way of life.

Philosophy from the hand of the great Solomon, at that time the superior of those who cultivated philosophy in the monastery in question. He was a man of sound mind, who distinguished himself by the virtues of the monastic life.
Paralios, after having been raised as a pagan in his country by his two other brothers, left for Alexandria with the desire to learn grammar (grammatikē)original: "γραμματική": his brothers had strongly recommended to him before his departure never to address a single word to Athanase, who has been mentioned.
He came then to the grammarian (grammatikos)original: "γραμματικός" Horapollon. The latter knew his art in a remarkable way, and his teaching was worthy of praise; but he was of the pagan religion, and full of admiration for demons and magic. In the company of Horapollon, the paganism of Paralios intensified; he was attached, in fact, to offering, with his master, sacrifices to idols. In the long run, Paralios, overcome by nature, burned with the desire to finally see his brother Athanase. He went therefore to the monastery of Solomon, and was captivated by the holy couple formed by Stephen and Athanase. They easily overcame, with the help of the Spirit of God, the numerous pagan objections and questions they heard posed by Paralios.