(d. c. 466 AD)
Coptic abbot of the White Monastery near modern Sohag. He was born in the village of Shenalolet near Akhmim and entered the White Monastery in 371, where he served as a monk and later succeeded his uncle, Pjol, the founder of the monastery, as head of the community. His rule was quite strict and harsher than that of Pachomius, and Shenoute introduced a written profession of obedience. He was a staunch opponent of paganism and encouraged the destruction of pagan monuments. In 431, he took part in the Council of Ephesus with the patriarch Cyril. Many of his literary compositions, all on religious subjects, have survived, and he is regarded as the most original author of the Coptic Period.
Historical Dictionary Of Ancient Egypt by Morris L. Bierbrier
Ancient Egypt. A Reference Guide. EdwART. 2011.