Daily Saint

St. Antony of Egypt, also known as St. Antony the Great or the Father of Monks, is one of the most revered figures in Christian monasticism. Born around 251 in Egypt, St. Antony was the son of wealthy Christian parents.

After his parents died, St. Antony was left to care for his young sister. One day at church, St. Antony was moved by the Gospel words: “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor.” (Matthew 19:21)

St. Antony immediately took this command to heart. He gave away his properties, sold his goods, leaving enough to care for his sister, whom he left in the care of a religious community of consecrated virgins. He withdrew into the desert to live a life of prayer, fasting, and solitude.

St. Antony’s spiritual battle against temptation and his perseverance in asceticism drew many disciples, who sought his counsel and example. They began living around the abandoned Roman fort where St. Antony lived and pleaded with him to teach them his wisdom and pious ways, but he refused. His future disciples finally broke down his door. St. Antony did not get angry. He organized them into communities and taught them for six years before retreating again into the desert for solitude.

Although St. Antony was illiterate, learned men from as far as Greece came to learn from him. He encouraged monks to live with humility, obedience, and charity, and he urged them to pray constantly. His holiness had a profound influence on both the Church and the culture. St. Antony became known as the father of Christian monasticism. St. Athanasius later wrote The Life of Antony, which became a spiritual classic, inspiring generations of monks in both the East and West.

St. Antony lived to the remarkable age of 105, dying around the year 356 in the Egyptian desert, and was buried by his disciples. Many healing miracles were attributed to St. Antony during his life.