He was born Azer Qalid Bastarous (Arabic: عازر قليد بسطاورس‎) in Armant, Luxor, Kingdom of Egypt, on February 20, 1937.[2] He joined the Monastery of the Virgin Mary of the Syrians, and was tonsured as a monk on Tuesday, December 8, 1959. He chose the name Sarabamon (arabized version of Serapamon) as the date of his consecration corresponded to the 28th of Hathor, which was the feast day of the Martyrdom of Saint Serapamon the Bishop of Nikiou.[2]