St Anthony of Egypt

Jan 14, 2022

Feastday: January 17
Patron Saint of: Butchers, Gravediggers, Skin Diseases

St Anthony of Egypt is the founder of Christian monasticism whose radical approach to discipleship permanently impacted the Church. Anthony was born around 251 to wealthy parents who owned land in the present-day Faiyum region near Cairo.

During this time, the Catholic Church was rapidly spreading its influence throughout the vast expanses of the Roman Empire, while the empire remained officially pagan and did not legally recognise the new religion. During his long life, Anthony lived to see Emperor Constantine's establishment of Christianity as the official religion of the Roman Empire.

Attending church one day, after his parent’s passing and inheriting great wealth, he heard – as if for the first time – Jesus’ exhortation to another rich young man in the biblical narrative: “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” Anthony told his disciples in later years that it was as though Christ had spoken those words to him directly.

He duly sold everything he owned and donated the proceeds, setting aside a portion to provide for his sister. Although organised monasticism did not yet exist, it was not unknown for Christians to abstain from marriage, divest themselves of possessions to some extent, and live a life focused on prayer and fasting. Anthony's sister eventually joined a group of consecrated virgins.

Anthony sought a more comprehensive vision of Christian asceticism among the hermits of the Egyptian desert, individuals who chose to withdraw physically and culturally from the surrounding society in order to devote themselves more fully to God.

After studying with one of these hermits, Anthony made a sustained attempt to live alone in a secluded desert location, depending on the charity of a few patrons who would provide him with enough food to survive.

Although he had not sought to form such a community, his decision to become its spiritual father – or “Abbot”– marked the beginning of monasticism as it is known today.

Anthony lived out this monastic calling for another four decades, providing spiritual and practical advice to disciples who ensured the movement’s continued existence. According to Anthony’s biographer, St. Athanasius, the Emperor Constantine wrote to the Abbot, seeking advice on the administration of an empire that was now officially Christian.

St. Anthony was around 105 years old when he died, sometime between 350 and 356. In keeping with his instructions, two of his disciples buried his body secretly in an unmarked grave.-- CNA