On the Life of Antony

Athanasius the bishop to the brethren in foreign parts. You have entered upon a noble rivalry with the monks of Egypt by your determination either to equal or surpass them in your training in the way of virtue.

Preface (¶1)

Since you asked me to give you an account of the blessed Antony's way of life, and are wishful to learn how he began the discipline, who and what manner of man he was previous to this, how he closed his life, and…

Preface (¶2)

I know that you, when you have heard, apart from your admiration of the man, will be wishful to emulate his determination; seeing that for monks the life of Antony is a sufficient pattern of discipline.

Preface (¶3)

Antony you must know was by descent an Egyptian: his parents were of good family and possessed considerable wealth, and as they were Christians he also was reared in the same Faith.

1–2 (¶4)

But when he was grown and arrived at boyhood, he could not endure to learn letters, not caring to associate with other boys; but all his desire was, as it is written of Jacob, to live a plain man at home.

1–2 (¶5)

After the death of his father and mother he was left alone with one little sister: his age was about eighteen or twenty, and on him the care both of home and sister rested.

1–2 (¶6)

Pondering over these things he entered the church, and it happened the Gospel was being read, and he heard the Lord saying to the rich man, "If thou wouldst be perfect, go and sell that thou hast and give to the poor;…

1–2 (¶7)

He gave the possessions of his forefathers to the villagers — they were three hundred acres, productive and very fair — that they should be no more a clog upon himself and his sister.

1–2 (¶8)

And again as he went into the church, hearing the Lord say in the Gospel, "Be not anxious for the morrow," he could stay no longer, but went out and gave those things also to the poor.

3–4 (¶9)

For there were not yet so many monasteries in Egypt, and no monk at all knew of the distant desert; but all who wished to give heed to themselves practised the discipline in solitude near their own village.

3–4 (¶10)

Then if he heard of a good man anywhere, like the prudent bee, he went forth and sought him, nor turned back to his own palace until he had seen him; and he returned, having got from the good man as it were supplies for…

3–4 (¶11)

Thus conducting himself, Antony was beloved by all. He subjected himself in sincerity to the good men whom he visited, and learned thoroughly where each surpassed him in zeal and discipline.

3–4 (¶12)

But the devil, who hates and envies what is good, could not endure to see such a resolution in a youth, but endeavoured to carry out against him what he had been wont to effect against others.

5–6 (¶13)

But when the enemy saw himself to be too weak for Antony's determination, and that he rather was conquered by the other's firmness, overthrown by his great faith and falling through his constant prayers, then at length…

5–6 (¶14)

At last when the dragon could not even thus overthrow Antony, but saw himself thrust out of his heart, gnashing his teeth as it is written, he appeared to Antony like a black boy, taking a visible shape in accordance…

5–6 (¶15)

Antony having given thanks to the Lord, with good courage said to him, "Thou art very despicable then, for thou art black-hearted and weak as a child.

5–6 (¶16)

This was Antony's first struggle against the devil, or rather this victory was the Saviour's work in Antony. But neither did Antony, although the evil one had fallen, henceforth relax his care and despise him; nor did…

7 (¶17)

He kept vigil to such an extent that he often continued the whole night without sleep; and this not once but often, to the marvel of others.

7 (¶18)

He had come to this truly wonderful conclusion, "that progress in virtue, and retirement from the world for the sake of it, ought not to be measured by time, but by desire and fixity of purpose." He at least gave no…

7 (¶19)

Antony departed to the tombs, which happened to be at a distance from the village; and having bid one of his acquaintances to bring him bread at intervals of many days, he entered one of the tombs, and the other having…

8–10 (¶20)

He was carried therefore by the man, and when the door was shut he was within alone. And he could not stand up on account of the blows, but he prayed as he lay.

8–10 (¶21)

But the demons as they have no power are like actors on the stage changing their shape and frightening children with tumultuous apparition and various forms.

8–10 (¶22)

And a voice came to him, "Antony, I was here, but I waited to see thy fight; wherefore since thou hast endured, and hast not been worsted, I will ever be a succour to thee, and will make thy name known everywhere."…

8–10 (¶23)

And on the day following he went forth still more eagerly bent on the service of God and having fallen in with the old man he had met previously, he asked him to dwell with him in the desert.

11 (¶24)

And yet again the enemy seeing his zeal and wishing to hinder it, cast in his way what seemed to be a great silver dish. But Antony, seeing the guile of the Evil One, stood, and having looked on the dish, he put the…

11 (¶25)

More and more confirmed in his purpose, he hurried to the mountain, and having found a fort, so long deserted that it was full of creeping things, on the other side of the river; he crossed over to it and dwelt there.

12–13 (¶26)

But those of his acquaintances who came, since he did not permit them to enter, often used to spend days and nights outside, and heard as it were crowds within clamouring, dinning, sending forth piteous voices and…

12–13 (¶27)

Antony came to the door and besought them to depart and not to be afraid, "for thus," said he, "the demons make their seeming onslaughts against those who are cowardly.

12–13 (¶28)

And so for nearly twenty years he continued training himself in solitude, never going forth, and but seldom seen by any. After this when many were eager and wishful to imitate his discipline, and his acquaintances came…

14–15 (¶29)

And they, when they saw him, wondered at the sight, for he had the same habit of body as before, and was neither fat, like a man without exercise, nor lean from fasting and striving with the demons, but he was just the…

14–15 (¶30)

Through him the Lord healed the bodily ailments of many present, and cleansed others from evil spirits. And He gave grace to Antony in speaking, so that he consoled many that were sorrowful, and set those at variance at…

14–15 (¶31)

"The Scriptures are enough for instruction, but it is a good thing to encourage one another in the faith, and to stir up with words. Let this especially be the common aim of all, neither to give way having once begun,…

16–43 (¶32)

"Wherefore, children, let us not faint nor deem that the time is long, or that we are doing something great, for the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed…

16–43 (¶33)

"Let us consider and lay to heart that while the Lord is with us, our foes can do us no hurt. For when they come they approach us in a form corresponding to the state in which they discover us, and adapt their delusions…

16–43 (¶34)

"The demons, if they see all Christians, and monks especially, labouring cheerfully and advancing, first make an attack by temptation and place hindrances to hamper our way, to wit, evil thoughts.

16–43 (¶35)

"Wherefore let us hold fast our discipline, and let us not be careless. For in it the Lord is our fellow-worker. But to avoid being heedless, it is good to consider the word of the Apostle, I die daily.

16–43 (¶36)

"The demons have not been created evil, but even they have been made good. Having fallen, however, from the heavenly wisdom, since then they have been grovelling on earth.

16–43 (¶37)

"For your fearlessness against them hold this sure sign — whenever there is any apparition, be not prostrate with fear, but whatsoever it be, first boldly ask, Who art thou? And from whence comest thou?

16–43 (¶38)

"The vision of the holy ones is not fraught with distraction. But it comes so quietly and gently that immediately joy, gladness and courage arise in the soul. For the Lord who is our joy is with them.

16–43 (¶39)

"Once a demon exceeding high appeared with pomp, and dared to say, I am the power of God and I am Providence, what dost thou wish that I shall give thee?

16–43 (¶40)

"Once some one knocked at the door of my cell, and going forth I saw one who seemed of great size and tall. Then when I enquired, Who art thou? he said, I am Satan. Then when I said, Why art thou here?

16–43 (¶41)

"If, therefore, the devil himself confesses that his power is gone, we ought utterly to despise both him and his demons. Wherefore let us not despond after this fashion, nor let us have a thought of cowardice in our…

16–43 (¶42)

While Antony was thus speaking all rejoiced; in some the love of virtue increased, in others carelessness was thrown aside, the self-conceit of others was stopped; and all were persuaded to despise the assaults of the…

44 (¶43)

So their cells were in the mountains, filled with holy bands of men who sang psalms, loved reading, fasted, prayed, rejoiced in the hope of things to come, laboured in alms-giving, and preserved love and harmony one…

44 (¶44)

Antony, however, according to his custom, returned alone to his own cell increased his discipline, and sighed daily as he thought of the mansions in Heaven, having his desire fixed on them, and pondering over the…

45 (¶45)

And he used to say that it behoved a man to give all his time to his soul rather than his body, yet to grant a short space to the body through its necessities; but all the more earnestly to give up the whole remainder…

45 (¶46)

After this the Church was seized by the persecution which then took place under Maximinus, and when the holy martyrs were led to Alexandria, Antony also followed, leaving his cell, and saying, Let us go too, that if…

46 (¶47)

The judge, therefore, beholding the fearlessness of Antony and his companions, commanded that no monk should appear in the judgment hall, nor remain at all in the city.

46 (¶48)

And when at last the persecution ceased, and the blessed Bishop Peter had borne his testimony; Antony departed, and again withdrew to his cell, and was there daily a martyr to his conscience, and contending in the…

47 (¶49)

And his discipline was much severer, for he was ever fasting, and he had a garment of hair on the inside, while the outside was skin, which he kept until his end.

47 (¶50)

But when he saw himself beset by many, and not suffered to withdraw himself according to his intent as he wished, fearing because of the signs which the Lord wrought by him, that either he should be puffed up, or that…

49–50 (¶51)

While he was considering these things, a voice came to him from above, "Antony, whither goest thou and wherefore?" And he answered, "Since the multitude permit me not to be still, I wish to go into the upper Thebaid on…

49–50 (¶52)

Having journeyed with the Saracens three days and three nights, he came to a very lofty mountain, and at the foot of the mountain ran a clear spring, whose waters were sweet and very cold; outside there was a plain and…

49–50 (¶53)

So he was alone in the inner mountain, spending his time in prayer and discipline. There then he passed his life, and endured such great wrestlings, "Not against flesh and blood," as it is written, but against opposing…

51–53 (¶54)

The devil, therefore, as David says in the Psalms, observed Antony and gnashed his teeth against him. But Antony was consoled by the Saviour and continued unhurt by his wiles and varied devices.

51–53 (¶55)

Seeing that it was a trick of the enemy he said to them all: "If ye have received power against me I am ready to be devoured by you; but if ye were sent against me by demons, stay not, but depart, for I am a servant of…

51–53 (¶56)

And once being asked by the monks to come down and visit them and their abodes after a time, he journeyed with those who came to him. When the water failed them on their way, and the heat was very great, they all were…

54 (¶57)

But the old man seeing that they were all in jeopardy, groaning in deep grief, departed a little way from them, and kneeling down he stretched forth his hands and prayed.

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To all the monks therefore who came to him, he continually gave this precept: "Believe on the Lord and love Him; keep yourselves from filthy thoughts and fleshly pleasures, and be not deceived by the fullness of the…

55–56 (¶59)

And especially he counselled them to meditate continually on the apostle's word, "Let not the sun go down upon your wrath." And he considered this was spoken of all commandments in common, and that not on wrath alone,…

55–56 (¶60)

And with those who suffered he sympathised and prayed. And oft-times the Lord heard him on behalf of many: yet he boasted not because he was heard, nor did he murmur if he were not.

55–56 (¶61)

A man, Fronto by name, who was an officer of the Court and had a terrible disease, for he used to bite his own tongue and was in danger of injury to his eyes, having come to the mountain, asked Antony to pray for him.

57–64 (¶62)

There was also a maiden from Busiris Tripolitana, who had a terrible and very hideous disorder. Then when they asked that she should be admitted, Antony did not allow it, but said, "Go, and if she be not dead, you will…

57–64 (¶63)

A person of rank came to him, possessed by a demon; and the demon was so terrible that the man possessed did not know that he was coming to Antony.

57–64 (¶64)

But when two brethren were coming to him, the water failed on the way and one died and the other was at the point of death. But Antony sitting in the mountain called two monks and urged them saying, "Take a pitcher of…

57–64 (¶65)

For once, when about to eat, having risen up to pray about the ninth hour, he perceived that he was caught up in the spirit, and he stood and saw himself, as it were, from outside himself, and that he was led in the air…

65–66 (¶66)

After this, when he once had a discussion with certain men who had come to him concerning the state of the soul and of what nature its place will be after this life, the following night one from above called him,…

65–66 (¶67)

And the figure stretched forth his hands, and some of those who were ascending were stayed by him, while others flew above, and having escaped heavenward, were borne aloft free from care.

65–66 (¶68)

Added to this he was tolerant in disposition and humble in spirit. For though he was such a man, he observed the rule of the Church most rigidly, and was willing that all the clergy should be honoured above himself.

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And he loathed the heresy of the Arians, and exhorted all neither to approach them nor to hold their erroneous belief. And once when certain Arian madmen came to him, when he had questioned them and learned their…

67–69 (¶70)

He descended from the mountain, and having entered Alexandria, he denounced the Arians, saying that their heresy was the last of all and a forerunner of Antichrist.

67–69 (¶71)

And Antony also was exceeding prudent, and the wonder was that although he had not learned letters, he was a ready-witted and sagacious man.

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"Which is more beautiful, to confess the Cross or to attribute to those whom you call gods adultery and the seduction of boys? For that which is chosen by us is a sign of courage and a sure token of the contempt of…

72–80 (¶73)

"We Christians therefore hold the mystery not in the wisdom of Greek arguments, but in the power of faith richly supplied to us by God through Jesus Christ.

72–80 (¶74)

And the fame of Antony came even unto kings. For Constantine Augustus, and his sons Constantius and Constans the Augusti wrote letters to him, as to a father, and begged an answer from him.

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But when they brought him the letters he called the monks and said, "Do not be astonished if an emperor writes to us, for he is a man; but rather wonder that God wrote the Law for men and has spoken to us through His…

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Often when he was on the mountains he saw what was happening in Egypt, and told it to Serapion the bishop. Once as he was sitting and working, he fell, as it were, into a trance, and groaned much at what he saw.

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But when he saw this vision, he comforted those with him, saying, "Be not downcast, my children; for as the Lord has been angry, so again will He heal us, and the Church shall soon again receive her own order, and shall…

82 (¶78)

Such are the words of Antony, and we ought not to doubt whether such marvels were wrought by the hand of a man. For it is the promise of the Saviour, when He saith, "If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall…

83–84 (¶79)

Antony, at any rate, healed not by commanding, but by prayer and speaking the name of Christ. So that it was clear to all that it was not he himself who worked, but the Lord who showed mercy by his means and healed the…

83–84 (¶80)

But when the duke entreated him to stay, he replied that he could not linger among them, and persuaded him by a pretty simile, saying, "Fishes, if they remain long on dry land, die.

And a certain general, Balacius by name, persecuted us Christians bitterly on account of his regard for the Arians. Antony wrote a letter and sent it to him.

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But Balacius laughed and threw the letter on the ground, and spit on it, and insulted the bearers. And five days had not passed before wrath came upon him.

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And it was as if a physician had been given by God to Egypt. For who in grief met Antony and did not return rejoicing? Who came mourning for his dead and did not forthwith put off his sorrow?

87–88 (¶84)

For this was the wonderful thing in Antony's discipline, that, as I said before, having the gift of discerning spirits, he recognised their movements, and was not ignorant whither any one of them turned his energy and…

87–88 (¶85)

According to his custom he visited the monks in the outer mountain, and having learned from Providence that his own end was at hand, he said to the brethren, "This is my last visit to you which I shall make.

89–90 (¶86)

And when they heard it they wept, and embraced, and kissed the old man. But he, as though sailing from a foreign city to his own, spoke joyously, and exhorted them not to grow idle in their labours, nor to become faint…

89–90 (¶87)

Having summoned those who were there, he said to them, "I, as it is written, go the way of the fathers, for I perceive that I am called by the Lord.

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"And if you have any care for me and are mindful of me as of a father, suffer no one to take my body into Egypt, lest haply they place me in the houses. Bury my body, therefore, and hide it underground yourselves.

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Having said this, when they had kissed him, he lifted up his feet, and as though he saw friends coming to him and was glad because of them — for as he lay his countenance appeared joyful — he died and was gathered to…

92 (¶90)

But each of those who received the sheepskin of the blessed Antony and the garment worn by him guards it as a precious treasure. For even to look on them is as it were to behold Antony; and he who is clothed in them…

92 (¶91)

This is the end of Antony's life in the body and the above was the beginning of the discipline. Even if this account is small compared with his merit, still from this reflect how great Antony, the man of God, was.

93–94 (¶92)

For his eyes were undimmed and quite sound and he saw clearly; of his teeth he had not lost one, but they had become worn to the gums through the great age of the old man.

93–94 (¶93)

And the fact that his fame has been blazoned everywhere; that all regard him with wonder, and that those who have never seen him long for him, is clear proof of his virtue and God's love of his soul.

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