He spent the first part of his life in the desert of Chalcis where he lived an ascetic life, he tried his body by fasting and still standing and was so exhausted that could not move. But then he left for Lebanon as a merchant and helped the inhabitants of the village where he stayed to pay the taxes with the help of his friends. The name of the village is not known but it is believed to be Aqura- Afka.
He spent the initial period of his life in the arid region of Chalcis, where he led a simple existence, subjecting himself to fasting and standing still, ultimately becoming so exhausted that he was unable to move. He then departed for Lebanon as a merchant and assisted the villagers in paying their taxes with the assistance of his friends. The name of the village remains unknown but is thought to be Aqura-Afka.