It is derived from the Greek word "eremia," which means "desert."
A monk who had loved to live in solitude with God.
Christian hermits first began to abide in Egypt and surrounding regions towards the close of the 3rd century, and from that date the eremitical life quickly gained popularity.
Better known as Anchorites, the Spirit Born. They are usually called "El Souah" in Arabic. This type of monk has reached a very high level of spirituality where his spirit is heavier than his body, because he is fervent in spirit, and he rarely eats. They live in groups and can easily move from one place to another in a very short time, without anyone seeing them.
Dictionary of church terms. — St. GEORGE'S COPTIC ORTHODOX CHURCH SPORTING - ALEXANDRIA EGYPT. Fr. Tadros Yacoub Maiaty.