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Also known as: Anthony of
Egypt; Anthony the Great; Father of Cenobites; Father of Western
Monasticism
Profile
Following the death of his parents when he was about 20, he insured that
his sister completed her education, then sold his house, furniture, and
the land he owned, gave the proceeds to the poor, joined the anchorites
who lived nearby, and moved into an empty sepulchre. At age 35 he moved
alone to the desert, living 20 years in an abandoned fort.
Anthony barricaded the place for solitude, but admirers broke in. He
miraculously healed people, and agreed to be the spiritual counselor of
others. His recommendation was to base life on the Gospel. Word spread,
and so many disciples arrived that Anthony founded two monasteries on the
Nile, one at Pispir, one at Arsinoe. Many of those who lived near him
supported themselves by making baskets and brushes, and from that came his
patronage of those trades.
Anthony briefly left his seclusion in 311, going to Alexandria to fight
Arianism, and to comfort the victims of Maximinus' persecution. At some
point in his life, he met with his sister again. She, too, had withdrawn
from the world, and directed a community of nuns. Anthony retired to the
desert, living in a cave on Mount Colzim.
Descriptions paint him as uniformly modest and courteous. His example led
many to take up the monastic life, and to follow his way. Friend late in
life of Saint Paul the Hermit, and buried the aged anchorite, leading to
his patronage of gravediggers. His biography was written by his friend
Saint Athanasius.
His relationship with pigs and patronage of swineherds is a little
complicated. Skin diseases were sometimes treated with applications of
pork fat, which reduced inflammation and itching. As Anthony's
intervention aided in the same conditions, he was shown in art accompanied
by a pig. People who saw the art work, but did not have it explained,
thought there was a direct connection between Anthony and pigs - and
people who worked with swine took him as their patron.
Born: 251 at Heracleus, Egypt
Died: 356 at Mount Colzim of natural causes; relics near Vienne
Name Meaning: inestimable
Patronage: against pestilence, amputees, animals, basket makers,
basket weavers, brush makers, butchers, cemetery workers, domestic
animals, eczema, epilepsy, epileptics, ergotism (Saint Anthony's fire),
erysipelas, gravediggers, graveyards, hermits, hogs, Hospitallers, monks,
pigs, relief from pestilence, skin diseases, skin rashes, swine,
swineherds
Representation: bell; pig; t-shaped staff; tau cross with a bell on
the end; man with a pig at his side
Reading
When Anthony was about eighteen or twenty years old, his parents died. Not
six months after his parents' death, as he was on his way to church for
his usual visit, he began to think of how the apostles had left everything
and followed the Savior, and also of those mentioned in the book of Acts
who had sold their possessions and brought the apostles money for
distribution to the needy. This was all in his mind when, entering the
church just as the Gospel was being read, he head the Lord's words to the
rich man: "If you want to be perfect, go and sell all you have and give
the money to the poor - you will have riches in heaven. Then come and
follow me."
It seemed to Anthony that it was God who had brought the saints to his
mind, and that the words of the Gospel had been spoken directly to him.
Immediately he left the church, and gave away to the villagers all the
property he inherited, about 200 acres of very beautiful and fertile land.
He sold all his other possessions, as well, giving to the poor the
considerable sum of money he collected. However, to care for his sister he
retained a few things.
He gave himself up to the ascetic life, not far from his own home. He did
manual work because he had heard the words: "If anyone will not work, do
not let him eat." He spent some of his earnings on bread and the rest he
gave to the poor.
Seeing the kind of life he lived, the villagers and all the good men he
knew called him the friend of God, and they loved him as a son and
brother.
from the Life of Saint Anthony by Saint Athanasius
Saint Anthony told his monks: When, therefore, they demons come by night
to you and wish to tell the future, or say 'We are the angels,' give no
heed, for they lie.... But if they shamelessly stand their ground,
capering and change their forms of appearance, fear them not, nor shrink,
nor heed them as though they were good spirits. For the presence either of
the good or evil by the help of God can easily be distinguished. The
vision of the holy ones is not fraught with distraction: 'For they will
not strive, nor cry, nor shall anyone hear their voice' (Matthew 12:19;
Isaiah 42:2). But it comes quietly and gently that an immediate joy,
gladness, and courage arise in the soul. For the Lord who is our joy is
with them, and the power of God the Father.
Ambrose: Life of Saint Anthony
source:
http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/sainta06.htm |
