Early Christian Biographies

Life Of St. Anthony

THE LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY Preface nOU HAVE ENTERED into a noble contest with the monks of Egypt in undertaking to equal or surpass them in your training in the way of virtue, for now there are monasteries in your midst, and the name of monk is publicly esteemed. It is right, therefore, that everyone should praise your purpose; may God fulfill it in answer to your prayers. You have asked me fer an account of the blessed Anthony's way of life because you wish to learn how he began the practice of asceticism, what he was prim; to it, how he died, and whether or not the things told of him are true, in order to train yourselves to zealous imitation of him. Most willingly have I accepted the task you imposed; indeed, merely to call Anthony to mind is of great profit to me, and I know that, when you have heard about him, you will not content yourselves with admiring the man, but you will also wish to imitate his way of life, for the life of Anthony is for monks an adequate guide in asceticism. Do not hesitate to believe what you have heard from those who have brought you accounts of him; believe, rather, that they have told but little, for they certainly cannot have reo counted all the details of his life. Even I-since you have urged me-notwithstanding all that I shall relate in my letter, 133 134 ST. ATHANASIUS shall be writing but a few of the things I have remembered about him. Therefore, do not cease questioning those who sail from these shores, for it is probable that, when each one has told what he knows, the account will not do Anthony justice. For this reason, I had a mind, when I received your letter, to send for some of the monks--especially those who used to be with him most constantly-so that I might learn further details and send you a more complete account. The sailing season was closing, however, and the letter.carrier was pressing me, so I have hastened to write for your reverent consideration both what I myself know, for I saw him often, and what I was able to learn from him, since I attended him no little time, and served him personally.1 In all the details I have been concerned solely about the truth, so that no one may be incredulous when he hears further details, nor, on the other hand, think less of the man because he has heard so little about him. Chapter 1 Anthony was an Egyptian by birth. His parents were well born and possessed considerable means, and since they were Christians, he, too, was brought up a Christian. As a young child, he was reared by his parents, knowing no one but them and his home, and when he grew to boyhood and adolescence, he refused to attend school because he wished to avoid the companionship of other children. His whole desire was, as is written of Jacob,1 to dwell a plain man in his house. 1 Literally, 'poured water on his hands: a Biblical expression which here refers to the time that St. Athanasius spent as a disciple of St. Anthony, whom he served as Eliseus suved the Prophet Elias. Cf. 4 Kings 3.11. According to R. CeIlier, Histoire gtineraie des auteurs sacres et ecclesiastiques V (Paris 1735) 152, this was in 315. 1 Gen. 25.27. LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY 135 He used to frequent the church with his parents and was very attentive as a child; as he grew older, he was respectful and obedient to his parents, and by paying close attention to passages read aloud, he carefully preserved for himself what was profitable in them. Although he had a moderately· wealthy home, as a boy he did not trouble his parents for a variety of costly foods nor seek enjoyment in eating, but he was content solely with what he found and asked for nothing more. Chapter 2 The death of his parents, when he was eighteen or Itwenty years old, left him with the responsibility of a very young sister, as well as of their home. Scarcely six months had passed since his parents' death, when, going to the church, as was his custom, he thoughtfully reflected as he walked along how the Apostles, leaving all...