Saint Anthony the Abbot
Stored in Cargo: Saint Anthony the Abbot
| Saint Anthony the Abbot | |
| Feast Day | January 17 |
|---|---|
| Liturgical Class | |
| Patronage | Monks, hermits, against skin diseases (e.g., ergotism), gravediggers, pigs, butchers |
| Birthplace | Coma, Roman Egypt (near Herakleopolis Magna, now Egypt) |
| Death Place | Mount Colzim, Roman Egypt (near the Red Sea, now Egypt) |
| Cause of Death | Natural causes (old age) |
| Primary Shrine | Monastery of Saint Anthony, Eastern Desert, Egypt |
Saint Anthony the Abbot, born around 251 AD in Coma, Egypt, was the founder of Christian monasticism, earning the title “Father of All Monks.” From a wealthy Christian family, he sold his possessions at 20 after hearing Matthew 19:21 (“sell what you have and give to the poor”), retreating to the desert around 270 AD to live as a hermit. His ascetic life—battling demons, fasting, and praying—drew disciples, whom he organized into loose communities by 305 AD, laying the groundwork for cenobitic monasticism. Living to 105, he died on January 17, 356 AD, on Mount Colzim, his longevity and holiness recounted in Saint Athanasius’s *Life of Anthony*, a seminal hagiography.
Canonized pre-Congregation, Anthony’s feast day, January 17, celebrates his pioneering solitude and spiritual warfare, with his relics enshrined at the Monastery of Saint Anthony in Egypt’s Eastern Desert, a major pilgrimage site. Patron of monks, hermits, and those with skin diseases (linked to the “Saint Anthony’s Fire” cure by his order), his legacy shaped monastic traditions across East and West. Known for miracles like healings and demonic victories, his *Sayings* and Athanasius’s biography amplify his influence, revered in Catholic, Orthodox, and Anglican traditions.
Biography
Birth
Saint Anthony was born circa 251 AD in Coma, near Herakleopolis Magna in Roman Egypt, to affluent Christian parents whose names are lost to history. His birth in Middle Egypt’s fertile region offered comfort, but his destiny lay in austerity. Exact dates vary (250–252 AD) due to scant records.
Orphaned at 18 or 20, Anthony inherited wealth—300 acres and a home—but his life pivoted hearing Christ’s call in church. This moment in prosperous Egypt launched a radical journey.
Early Life
Anthony’s youth was privileged until his parents’ deaths around 269–271 AD, leaving him to care for a younger sister. At 20, inspired by Matthew 19:21, he sold his estate, entrusted his sister to a Christian community, and began an ascetic life near Coma. By 270 AD, he withdrew to a tomb in the desert, surviving on bread and water.
His early solitude drew Satan’s assaults—vividly detailed by Athanasius—yet he emerged stronger, attracting followers. Anthony’s formative years forged a hermit whose example birthed monasticism.
Occupation
Anthony’s occupation was that of a hermit and spiritual guide. From 270 AD, he lived in isolation—first in tombs, then a fort at Pispir—practicing extreme asceticism. Around 305 AD, he organized disciples into a semi-communal life, though he preferred solitude, mentoring from afar. He ventured to Alexandria twice (c. 311 and 338 AD) to support martyrs and debate Arians.
His “occupation” ended on Mount Colzim, where he farmed and prayed until 356 AD. Anthony’s life was a blend of eremitic withdrawal and reluctant leadership, shaping desert spirituality.
Vocation
Anthony’s vocation crystallized at 20, when he embraced poverty and solitude after Christ’s gospel call. Living in Egypt’s deserts—Nitria, Pispir, Colzim—he battled demons, a struggle immortalized in art and Athanasius’s *Life*. By 305 AD, he guided disciples, reluctantly forming monastic roots, though he returned to isolation.
His vocation peaked in old age, advising bishops and monks while living to 105. Anthony’s call was to pioneer Christian asceticism, a model for centuries of monks seeking God in silence.
Death
Saint Anthony the Abbot met his end on January 17, 356 AD, on Mount Colzim near the Red Sea, dying of natural causes at 105. Foreseeing his death, he instructed two disciples to bury him secretly to prevent relic veneration, passing peacefully in his cave. His grave’s location remained hidden until 561 AD, when it was discovered.
Relics later moved to Alexandria, then France (11th century), and partly to his monastery in Egypt. Anthony’s death closed a life of legendary endurance, igniting immediate veneration.
Significant events
- Sold possessions and began ascetic life, c. 270 AD.
- Organized disciples into monastic community, c. 305 AD.
- Visited Alexandria to support martyrs, c. 311 AD.
- Died on January 17, 356 AD, aged 105.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Coma, Roman Egypt (near Herakleopolis Magna, now Egypt)
Death location: Mount Colzim, Roman Egypt (near the Red Sea, now Egypt)
Notable location:
Notable location:
Notable location:
Notable location:
Notable location:
Parishes
| Anthony the Abbot |
|---|
|
No results |
| This map created from a Cargo query () |
Canonization
Servant of God
No “Servant of God” process existed in 356; Anthony’s veneration began in Egypt post-death, spurred by Athanasius’s *Life of Anthony* (c. 360 AD) and miracles, recognized early by the Church.
Venerable
Anthony wasn’t declared Venerable, a later step; his sanctity was affirmed through tradition, not formal stages.
Beatification
Beatification wasn’t distinct in the 4th century; Anthony’s sainthood emerged from instant acclaim.
Canonization
Canonized pre-Congregation, likely by the late 4th century, Anthony’s sainthood was solidified by his monastic legacy and Athanasius’s account, revered universally in early Christianity.
Miracles
Miracle for beatification
No specific miracle tied to a formal beatification, as this didn’t apply; his veneration rested on his life’s holiness.
Miracle for canonization
Canonization then didn’t require miracles; Anthony’s sainthood stemmed from his ascetic feats and influence, not specific posthumous wonders.
Other notable miracles
- Healed the sick and cast out demons during life, per Athanasius. - Posthumous cures linked to his relics, fueling his cult.
Patronage
Saint Anthony the Abbot is the patron saint of monks, hermits, against skin diseases (ergotism, “Saint Anthony’s Fire”), gravediggers, pigs, and butchers.
Feast day
The feast day of Saint Anthony the Abbot is celebrated on January 17.
Veneration
Saint Anthony is venerated through prayers for strength and healing, centered at the Monastery of Saint Anthony in Egypt, where his relics draw pilgrims. Depicted with a bell (to ward off demons), pig (from medieval care by his order), or Tau cross, his cult spans Catholic, Orthodox, Coptic, and Anglican traditions. Festivals on January 17 bless animals, reflecting his legacy in *Sayings of the Desert Fathers*.
Books
Written about the saint
Written by the saint
- No direct writings survive; his teachings are in *Sayings of the Desert Fathers*