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The Life of St. Anthony
First published in the 4th century A.D., Anthony the Great's biography was authored by Christian Saint Athanasius of Alexandria. Since its original release, the book has helped spread the beliefs, practices and arduous faith of Anthony the Great to a wider audience. A significant progenitor of the monastic tradition, Saint Anthony lived an ascetic lifestyle in the deserts of Egypt. Although not the earliest of religious figures committed to this tradition, through his actions and preaching Anthony helped popularise and spread principles that would contribute heavily to the establishment of Christian monastic orders in Europe and beyond. One famous event in St. Anthony's life was his encounter with the supernatural in the remote reaches of the Egyptian desert. This occurrence, wherein the otherworldly presence tried to tempt him away from his spartan philosophy of living, has experienced much coverage in Western art and literature.
65 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 5, 2024
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Athanasius of Alexandria
392 books334 followersborn perhaps 293
Greek patriarch Saint Athanasius, known as "the Great," of Alexandria led defenders of Christian orthodoxy against Arianism.
An Athanasian follows him, especially in opposition to Arianism.
Christians attributed Athanasian Creed, which dates probably from the fifth century, but people now consider its unknown origin.
People also refer to Athanasius (Arabic: البابا أثناسيوس الرسولي, as the Confessor and the Apostolic, primarily in the Coptic Church; he served as the twentieth bishop. From 8 June 328, his episcopate lasted, but four different Roman emperors ordered him to spend five exiles for 17 years. People consider this renowned theologian, a Father of the Church, the chief of Trinitarianism, and a noted Egyptian of the fourth century.
People remember his role in the conflict. In 325, Athanasius at the age of 27 years played a role in the first council of Nicaea. At the time, he served as a deacon and personal secretary of Alexander, the nineteenth bishop. Constantine I convoked Nicaea in May–August 325 to address the position of Jesus of Nazareth of a distinct substance from the Father.
Three years after Nicæa and upon the repose of Alexander, bishop, he served in June 328 at the age of 30 years as archbishop. He continued to the conflict for the rest of his life, and theological and political struggles engaged him against Constantine and Constantius II, the emperors, and against Eusebius of Nicomedia and other powerful and influential churchmen. He stood as "Athanasius contra Mundum," against the world. Within a few years of his departure, Saint Gregory of Nazianzus called him the "pillar of the Church." All fathers of the Church followed and well regarded his writings in the west and the east. His writings show a rich devotion to the Word, the Son of Man, great pastoral concern, and profound interest in monasticism.
The Roman Catholic Church counts Athanasius and three other doctors, and east labels him the "father." Many Protestants also celebrate him and label him "father of the canon." People venerate Athanasius on feast day, 2 May in west, 15 May in Coptic, and 18 January in the other eastern churches. The Roman Catholic Church, Orient, east, Lutherans, and Anglican communion venerate him.
Greek patriarch Saint Athanasius, known as "the Great," of Alexandria led defenders of Christian orthodoxy against Arianism.
An Athanasian follows him, especially in opposition to Arianism.
Christians attributed Athanasian Creed, which dates probably from the fifth century, but people now consider its unknown origin.
People also refer to Athanasius (Arabic: البابا أثناسيوس الرسولي, as the Confessor and the Apostolic, primarily in the Coptic Church; he served as the twentieth bishop. From 8 June 328, his episcopate lasted, but four different Roman emperors ordered him to spend five exiles for 17 years. People consider this renowned theologian, a Father of the Church, the chief of Trinitarianism, and a noted Egyptian of the fourth century.
People remember his role in the conflict. In 325, Athanasius at the age of 27 years played a role in the first council of Nicaea. At the time, he served as a deacon and personal secretary of Alexander, the nineteenth bishop. Constantine I convoked Nicaea in May–August 325 to address the position of Jesus of Nazareth of a distinct substance from the Father.
Three years after Nicæa and upon the repose of Alexander, bishop, he served in June 328 at the age of 30 years as archbishop. He continued to the conflict for the rest of his life, and theological and political struggles engaged him against Constantine and Constantius II, the emperors, and against Eusebius of Nicomedia and other powerful and influential churchmen. He stood as "Athanasius contra Mundum," against the world. Within a few years of his departure, Saint Gregory of Nazianzus called him the "pillar of the Church." All fathers of the Church followed and well regarded his writings in the west and the east. His writings show a rich devotion to the Word, the Son of Man, great pastoral concern, and profound interest in monasticism.
The Roman Catholic Church counts Athanasius and three other doctors, and east labels him the "father." Many Protestants also celebrate him and label him "father of the canon." People venerate Athanasius on feast day, 2 May in west, 15 May in Coptic, and 18 January in the other eastern churches. The Roman Catholic Church, Orient, east, Lutherans, and Anglican communion venerate him.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 24, 2025
The introvert to rule them all
September 5, 2025
[ Matthew 19:21 ], 'If you would be perfect, go and sell that you have and give to the poor; and come follow Me and you shall have treasure in heaven.'
A classic early saint biography written by a 3rd century saint who knew Anthony of the Desert, the father of monasticism, personally! What's not to like? This man took Jesus' message seriously and profited immensely by it, counseling kings and commoners alike on the value of orthodoxy and asceticism.
"Antony, as though God had put him in mind of the Saints, and the passage had been read on his account, went out immediately from the church, and gave the possessions of his forefathers to the villagers..."
Oh that we all had the strength to follow after Anthony into the "inner mountain", into the desert! We would also be well reminded of the fact that "Just as fish die if they stay too long out of water, so the monks who loiter outside their cells or pass their time with men of the world lose the intensity of inner peace". This norm isn't just for monks (although there are plentiful opportunities in the Church today for aspiring monks) - All people who recognize the spiritual aspects of their nature must protect the spark of the Divine within them in and through intentional solitude, and those who recognize further that they are loved by a god Who is Love itself, must band together and stoke it so that “Just as when a number of logs are heaped together and set on fire, they make a great flame, so too when a number of monks dwell together, their piety gives rise to a great flame of love towards God.”
This dynamic is present in every vocation in every time and place, and thus Anthony of the Desert remains relevant and his wisdom freshly challenging for every successive generation of Christian and spiritual seeker.
A classic early saint biography written by a 3rd century saint who knew Anthony of the Desert, the father of monasticism, personally! What's not to like? This man took Jesus' message seriously and profited immensely by it, counseling kings and commoners alike on the value of orthodoxy and asceticism.
"Antony, as though God had put him in mind of the Saints, and the passage had been read on his account, went out immediately from the church, and gave the possessions of his forefathers to the villagers..."
Oh that we all had the strength to follow after Anthony into the "inner mountain", into the desert! We would also be well reminded of the fact that "Just as fish die if they stay too long out of water, so the monks who loiter outside their cells or pass their time with men of the world lose the intensity of inner peace". This norm isn't just for monks (although there are plentiful opportunities in the Church today for aspiring monks) - All people who recognize the spiritual aspects of their nature must protect the spark of the Divine within them in and through intentional solitude, and those who recognize further that they are loved by a god Who is Love itself, must band together and stoke it so that “Just as when a number of logs are heaped together and set on fire, they make a great flame, so too when a number of monks dwell together, their piety gives rise to a great flame of love towards God.”
This dynamic is present in every vocation in every time and place, and thus Anthony of the Desert remains relevant and his wisdom freshly challenging for every successive generation of Christian and spiritual seeker.
January 30, 2025
A person to admire in times like these
I am happy that I read about this man I’ve heard so much about in my reading the lives of the saints. I we cneeded to read about an honorable and virtuous man. We can all use some time in the inner mountain.
I am happy that I read about this man I’ve heard so much about in my reading the lives of the saints. I we cneeded to read about an honorable and virtuous man. We can all use some time in the inner mountain.
February 10, 2025
amazing
This is an example of true piety towards God. It gives soo many example how to deal with spiritual warfare
This is an example of true piety towards God. It gives soo many example how to deal with spiritual warfare
November 28, 2025
Wisdom and Virtue and being Humble
Often taking to battle through prayer and self denial he showed others the strength needed to overcome evil,and live a spiritual life.
Often taking to battle through prayer and self denial he showed others the strength needed to overcome evil,and live a spiritual life.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews