Feast Day: January 17
Patronage: Monks, hermits, farmers, animals, and gravediggers
Titles: Father of Monasticism, Anthony the Great, Abba Anthony
Early Life
Saint Anthony was born around 251 A.D. in Coma, a village near Heracleopolis Magna in Upper Egypt, to devout Christian parents of noble means. At about the age of 18 or 20, shortly after the death of his parents, Anthony entered a church and heard the words of the Gospel:
“If thou wilt be perfect, go sell what thou hast and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow Me.”
(Matthew 19:21)
Taking these words as directed personally to him, Anthony gave away all his possessions, retained only a little for the care of his younger sister, and committed himself entirely to the pursuit of Christian perfection. Eventually, he entrusted his sister to a community of consecrated virgins and withdrew from the world.
Life in the Desert
Anthony retreated into the Egyptian desert to live in solitude, penance, and prayer. At first, he dwelt near his village under the guidance of older hermits. Then he withdrew further, dwelling in tombs, caves, and finally an abandoned fort across the Nile, engaging in a life of extreme asceticism. He ate only once a day, often after sunset, and practiced rigorous fasting and vigils.
There, Anthony endured intense spiritual warfare. The devil, angered by his holy life, assaulted him with terrible temptations—of pride, lust, despair, and fear. According to the account of Saint Athanasius, demons appeared in horrific forms and even beat Anthony severely. Yet, fortified by grace and humility, Anthony triumphed. When Christ appeared to comfort him after one such battle, Anthony asked,
“Where wast Thou, Lord, when I was in the midst of such trial?”
To which Christ replied:
“I was here, Anthony, but I waited to see thy combat. And because thou didst persevere, I will ever be thy helper.”
The Father of Monks
Though he sought solitude, Anthony’s holiness drew many disciples to him. His reputation spread far and wide. Men from all walks of life came to dwell near him and to imitate his rule of life. Anthony did not found a monastic order in the formal sense, but by his example and teaching, he became the father of Christian monasticism, especially the eremitical (hermit) tradition.
He exhorted his followers to a life of prayer, manual labor, fasting, and charity. He taught that solitude, far from being a selfish withdrawal, was a school of virtue, where the soul communes deeply with God. Anthony was known for his wisdom, humility, and discernment of spirits.
Defender of the Faith
Despite his love of solitude, Anthony left his desert at least twice: once during the persecution of Christians under Diocletian to encourage the martyrs in Alexandria (circa 311), and again during the Arian heresy, at the request of Saint Athanasius, to bear witness to the true divinity of Christ. His presence, even in old age, was a powerful support to the faithful and a rebuke to heretics.
Miracles and Death
Many miracles are attributed to Anthony: healings, casting out demons, and prophetic insight. Animals seemed to respect him, and he lived in harmony with creation. Icons often depict him with a pig, symbolizing both the temptations he overcame and his patronage of animals.
Saint Anthony lived to the age of 105, dying around the year 356 A.D. in solitude. According to his request, his grave was hidden by his disciples, lest his body become an object of veneration rather than his soul’s sanctity.
Legacy
Saint Anthony’s life inspired countless others to follow the path of the desert. His biography, written by Saint Athanasius, became one of the most influential hagiographical works in Christian history and contributed greatly to the spread of monasticism in the East and West. He is considered one of the Desert Fathers, whose sayings and lives shaped the foundation of Christian spirituality.
Traditional Prayer to Saint Anthony the Abbot
O God, Who didst vouchsafe to call the blessed Anthony, Thy Confessor, to the practice of evangelical perfection in the desert: grant us, we beseech Thee, to deny ourselves and to love Thee above all things, that we may be enabled to attain to the eternal possession of Thyself.
Through Our Lord Jesus Christ…
– Collect from the Traditional Roman Missal, January 17