When he was about 18 years old, his parents died and left him with the care of his unmarried sister. Shortly thereafter, he decided to follow the Evangelical counsel of Jesus which reads, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasures in heaven. Philo opined that "this class of persons may be met with in many places, for both Greece and barbarian countries want to enjoy whatever is perfectly good.
See Article History Alternative Titles: Antonios of Egypt, Antony of Egypt, St. Anthony the Great St. Anthony of Egypt, also called St.
Antony, however, according to his custom, returned alone to his own cell, increased his discipline, and sighed daily as he thought of the mansions in Heaven, having his desire fixed on them, and pondering over the shortness of man's life. 4th-century Latin translation of the Life of Saint Antony (by Patriarch Athanasius of Alexandria) and through widely traveled observers such as the theologian and monk John Cassian (–). These Mediterranean-wide influences were among the last examples of the communications network of the older, ecumenical Mediterranean world. An Encomium on Saint Anthony by John of Schmun a letter to the Disciples of Antony by Serapion of Thmuis. Instrumental in the conversion of many, including St. Augustine, The Life of Antony provided the model saint's life and constitutes, in the words of patristics scholar Johannes Quasten, 'the most important document of early monasticism.'4/5(1).
Anthony the Great, Anthony also called Antony or Antonios, born c. His rule represented one of the first attempts to codify guidelines for monastic living. A disciple of St. During the course of this retreat, he began his legendary combat against the Devilwithstanding a series of temptations famous in Christian theology and iconography.
About he emerged from his retreat to instruct and organize the monastic life of the hermits who imitated him and who had established themselves nearby.
There he remained, receiving visitors and, on occasion, crossing the desert to Pispir. He ventured twice to Alexandriathe last time c. For example, at times the Devil appeared in the guise of a monk bringing bread during his fasts or in the form of wild beasts, women, or soldiers, sometimes beating the saint and leaving him in a deathly state.
Anthony endured many such attacks, and those who witnessed them were convinced they were real. From these psychic struggles Anthony emerged as the sane and sensible father of Christian monasticism.
The rule that bears his name was compiled from writings and discourses attributed to him in the Life of St. Athanasius and the Apophthegmata patrum and was still observed in the 20th century by a number of Coptic and Armenian monks.
The Order of Hospitallers of St. Anthony was founded near GrenobleFrance c. The black-robed Hospitallers, ringing small bells as they collected alms, were a common sight in many parts of western Europe. The bells of the Hospitallers, as well as their pigs—allowed by special privilege to run free in medieval streets—became part of the later iconography associated with St.
Learn More in these related Britannica articles:Saint Anthony (3rd–4th century) was one of the first monks to retire to the desert to devote himself to fasting and prayer.
The Church knows his life story thanks to his biographer, St. Antony, however, according to his custom, returned alone to his own cell, increased his discipline, and sighed daily as he thought of the mansions in Heaven, having his desire fixed on them, and pondering over the shortness of man's life.
4th-century Latin translation of the Life of Saint Antony (by Patriarch Athanasius of Alexandria) and through widely traveled observers such as the theologian and monk John Cassian (–).
These Mediterranean-wide influences were among the last examples of the communications network of the older, ecumenical Mediterranean world. Alternative Titles: Antonios of Egypt, Antony of Egypt, St. Anthony the Great From these psychic struggles Anthony emerged as the sane and sensible father of Christian monasticism.
The rule that bears his name was compiled from writings and discourses attributed to him in the Life of St. Antony . Saint Anthony is also known as Anthony or Antony of Egypt, Anthony of the Desert, and Anthony the Abbott.
The account of his life and Demonic torments was recorded by his friend St. Athanasius, patriarch of the church at Alexandria, Egypt, in Vita S. Antoni (Life of St. Anthony). Anthony was a Christian saint credited as a founder of monasticism, famous for his temptations by the Devil and his demons.
Anthony means “inestimable.” Saint Anthony is also known as Anthony or Antony of Egypt, Anthony of the Desert, and Anthony the Abbott.