St. Anthony the Great (St. Anthony the Great) Online Obituary Tribute

In Memory Of St. (St. Anthony the Great) Anthony the Great

17th January 251 – 31st January 356

This obituary was created in the memory of St. (St. Anthony the Great) Anthony the Great, born in Heraclea in Upper Egypt on the 17th January 251 and passed away on the 31st January 356, 105 years of age.

Biography

Full Name: St. Anthony the Great

Born: 17th January 251

Passed Away: 31st January 356

Age: 105 years of age

Country: Egypt

Birth Place: Heraclea in Upper Egypt

Occupation: Early Christian Saint

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This obituary was created by Berry on 11 Apr 2006 (update)

In memory of St. Anthony the Great, of the 3rd Century, considered the Early Church founder of the monastic lifestyle.

When he was twenty years old, his parents died and left him with the care of his sister. Later, he was inspired by Christ's words: "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasures in heaven; and come, follow Me." (Matthew 19:21). So, Anthony gave his wealth to the needy, and placed his sister with a sort of prototype nunnery, composed of a group of women Christian virgins.

You see, Monasticism had not yet been invented at this time, so those who wanted to live such a lifestyle, lived on the outskirts of cities. Saint Anthony decided to head still further away from the city, into the saharan desert region about 60 miles away from Alexandria.

According to a writer of his biography, the devil often fought St Anthony by afflicting him with boredom, laziness, and the phantoms of women, which he overcame through the power of prayer. After successive bouts with the devil, Anthony become even more reclusive, taking over a tomb as his home. Some local villagers brought him food. It is said that once, when the devil became aware of his ascetic life and his intense worship, he beat St. Anthony mercilessly until he was unconscious.

When his friends found him in this condition, they carried him to a church. After he recovered, Anthony went still further into the wilderness. Ultimately, God gave him the victory over the devil (who took on the form of wolves, lizards and snakes).

Paul "the Hermit" was named by Anthony as being the first monk in the monestary of Paul that exists to this day in Egypt. Together with this brother in Christ, Paul the Hermit, Saint Anthony is considered as the founder of Christian monasticism.

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