Beautiful Egypt 191 – The Wilderness Star – January 29, 2017

   He is the “wilderness star”. Writers of his biography assert that it, “had a great impact on the whole world. It inspired Rome and the entirety of the West with a desire for monasticism.” It is St. Anthony of whom we speak. He forsook the world on his own free will. He was only twenty years old then, to live as a hermit in the wilderness for eighty-five years and become the “Father of Monks” and founder of monasticism not only in Egypt, but in the whole world. Pope Athanasius the Apostolic writes, “Anthony’s life is worthy being followed by monks in their spiritual practices.”

   St. Anthony’s fame and influence reached Asia and Europe. In 386, while four of young Constantine’s statesmen were strolling, they found a house at the French-Belgian border where some hermits lived. They followed St. Anthony’s suit, taking his life for a role model. Likewise, a copy of “St. Anthony’s Life”, written by Pope Athanasius the Apostolic who was his disciple for three years, was found. It is said that the four men had read St. Anthony’s biography. Two of them decided to forsake luxurious life and lead an ascetic one. Moreover, it is said that his biography led Augustine to repentance and asceticism.

   St. Anthony’s life was pretty long: for he departed at the age of one hundred and five years old. He was contemporary to seven Popes, namely, Dionysus, the 14th patriarch, Maximus, Theonas, Peter the Seal of martyrs, Alexandros, and finally Athanasius the Apostolic, the 20th patriarch.

Anthony

   Anthony was born in 250 at Qimn al-Arus, Beni Sweif, Egypt to a wealthy family. His parents were pious Christians who brought him up well, which is why he became a good youth. At the age of eighteen, they passed away, leaving him with his sister Dious. It is said that he stood before his father’s body pondering over the transience of worldly life as well as eternity of afterlife. When he became twenty, he used to think of life, and the greatness of those who sold their property and distributed money on the poor and needy.

   Then, it came to pass that he entered church during Gospel reading when Christ was telling the rich young man, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” Anthony considered this was addressed to him. So, he returned to his sister, telling her that he desired to sell his lot and distribute the money among the poor. She consented. So, he sold all their possession, keeping little for his sister, and giving the rest to the needy.

   It was not long enough when he entered the church and heard Christ’s words, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow.” So, he yearned more for asceticism, seclusion, and worshipping God in the wilderness: for there were no monasteries yet. Whoever wanted to worship God in seclusion would go to a remote place. Anthony told his sister about his desire to forsake the world and dedicate his life to prayer. Yet, she did not leave him except when he left her at a virgins’ house, after which he went to the wilderness.

   Anthony headed enthusiastically to the life of seclusion and prayer. He lived at a graveyard for a while. He had already asked somebody to bring him bread enough for several days. Pope Athanasius writes in his biography, “Anthony wanted to be faithful to the good life he had chosen. Due to his great humility, he used to take the least instruction seriously and enthusiastically.”

   Later, Anthony headed toward the mountains where he found a deserted fortress on the latter bank of the river. So, he crossed the river and went to the fortress where he lived alone for twenty years. He prayed and had nothing except bread and water which were brought to him twice a year. Like Thebans (who stored food and drink for a year), he would keep them for six months. His relatives would stand at the door in an attempt to see him. At that time, he never left the fortress. Nobody saw him. Whenever anybody tried to do so, having heard of him, been keen on following suit, or on making him their mentor, they would stand outside the fortress where they would hear him answer their queries. Then, they would leave.

St. Anthony’s Life

   In his ascetic life, he showed interest in work: for it was said he was tempted by boredom. So, he used to pray to God who would send him an angel in human attire and a hoody on which twelve crossed were drawn. Anthony used to plaid palm branches then pray. He would repeat this. The angel told him, “Make this during your break.” Ever since, monastic costume has come to existence. Likewise, work has become part of monastic life. Thus, Anthony kept working. He also kept praying, abiding by God’s commandments: love, mercy, forsaking all sorts of evil deeds in practice, not just in theory.

   It is said, “You would marvel at his patience, perseverance in fasting, and sleeping on the floor on a straw mat. You would be amazed by his endurance and meekness. He sought perfection, exerting great effort to purify his soul. He used to correct everything in his soul by himself. Seldom did he abandon seclusion.”
It is also said that he prayed continuously, day and night. He would eat once: after sunset. Sometimes, he would eat once every two or four days! His food was only bread and salt. He drank water. He would cover himself with straw as he slept.
   His angelic life attracted many people: for Anthony comforted the sad and reconciled the angry. He used to teach people to pursue righteousness, love, giving the needy, forsaking wrath, and clinging to virtue. Thus, whoever saw him rejoiced. His life attracted many people to seclusion. So, they went to the wilderness to become monks. Thus, cells and monasteries filled the mountains. Anthony mentored whoever sought monasticism. Palladius, Bishop of Helenopolis in Bythinia, wrote about him at the end of the fourth century, “He was a leader, beautiful mind, and a sage who knew people’s hearts with a glance. Whoever came to him would marvel at his knowing his reality despite his seclusion… Likewise, St. Anthony was so patient as to listen to whatever was said to him. He would answer patiently and discretely.”

Yearning to Martyrdom

   Egypt went through the worst persecution in history: for during the reign of Maximian, numerous Egyptians were martyred. At that time, St. Anthony yearned to martyrdom. So, he left the monastery, heading to Alexandria, only for another story to begin. Stories never end in Beautiful Egypt.

General Bishop
Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center