SAINT OF THE MONTH…. Antony of Egypt c251-356 Saint’s Day 17th January
The principal source of information about St Antony is the biography written soon after his death by his close friend, the theologian and bishop, Athanasius of Alexandria. This book, which played a major role in making Antony famous, portrays him as an ascetic devoted to prayer and fighting constantly with demons.
Antony certainly did not seek fame; disciples were attracted
to him because they wanted to emulate his solitary, monastic, way of life. Indeed, as Athanasius wrote, ‘For not from writings, nor from worldly wisdom, nor through any art, was Antony renowned, but solely from his piety towards God. That this was a gift of God no one will deny.’ Antony helped to inspire the concept of monasticism, especially in Western Europe.
Antony was born around 251 in Coma, Egypt. His Christian parents, who were wealthy
landowners, died when he was nineteen leaving him to look after his younger sister. As a regular churchgoer, Antony was very familiar with the scriptures and was keen to follow the example of the Apostles who gave up everything to follow Jesus. Thus he gave all his property away, placed his sister in the care of a convent, and began a new phase of his life.
Initially he followed hermits and other ‘good men’ to learn as much as he could from
them, taking to himself the ‘virtues of all’. He lived simply, working with his hands, praying and fasting. According to Athanasius, Antony was continually tempted by the devil and tormented by demons. In time he withdrew further and further into the desert, living a solitary existence first in a tomb and later in an abandoned Roman fort.
After twenty years alone in the fort, Antony emerged looking well and full of Christian
serenity. He now spent time instructing and leading the large group of ascetics who had become his disciples. Athanasius tells us that the Lord healed many through him and cleansed others of evil spirits. Antony was keen to exhort people to prefer the love of Christ to the world and persuaded many to follow his way of life.
After a while he again withdrew into the desert of Egypt, this time with some of his
disciples, to the place where the Monastery of St Antony the Great now stands. For forty five years the group led a simple life of contemplation, prayer and manual labour. People would petition them for words of enlightenment, some of which were later collected into a book entitled, ‘Sayings of the Desert Fathers’. Visitors are said to have recognised Antony by the joy which shone in his face.
St Antony died a peaceful death at the age of one hundred and five. Christeen Malan
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