Saint Anthony of Egypt
Egyptian hermit, often called the father of monasticism
- Rank
- Saint
- Kind
- Religious
- Life
- ~251 – ~356
- Era
- 4th century
- Feast
- 17 January
- Countries
- Egypt
Life story
Anthony was born around 251 at Koma in middle Egypt, into a comfortably off farming family. Orphaned young, he was left to care for his younger sister. According to his biography, one day he heard a Gospel passage read in church and decided to sell his land, give the proceeds to the poor, and place his sister in a community of consecrated women.
He began an ascetic life near his village and gradually withdrew deeper into the desert. He spent years in an abandoned fort, then moved to a mountain near the Red Sea. Though he preferred solitude, he received visitors seeking advice, and many settled around him, a first step in Egyptian monasticism. Around 311 he went to Alexandria to support Christians under persecution, and, according to the biography, returned there once more to back Athanasius against the Arians.
He died in 356, aged about one hundred and five, and was buried in a hidden place in the desert. Athanasius wrote the Life of Antony soon afterwards; it was quickly translated into Latin and deeply influenced monastic life in both East and West.
His feast is on 17 January. The Life of Antony describes his struggles against temptation, later portrayed by artists as demons, and says he lived on bread, salt and water. The book was read widely; Augustine records in the Confessions how the story of Antony moved two imperial officials at Trier to change their lives.
Works and witness
- Sold his inheritance, gave to the poor and lived an ascetic life in the Egyptian desert
- Attracted disciples who settled around him, beginning Egyptian monasticism
- Went to Alexandria to support Christians and to back Athanasius
- Subject of the Life of Antony written by Athanasius
Patron of
Monks
Saints from the same country
References
- Athanasius, Life of Antony
- Martyrologium Romanum
- Dicastery for the Causes of Saints – biographical profile
Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.