The Life of Saint Antony

Saint Antony was an early monk in the third century. He grew up in Egypt in a relatively well-off Christian family. His parents died when he was a young man and left him their estate. One Sunday during a worship service, Antony heard Jesus’s words to the rich young ruler, "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" (Mt 19:21), and he applied them directly to himself. He sold his inheritance, gave the money away, and devoted himself to the life of a monk.  

After leaving home, Antony looked for other hermits to learn from. He would spend time with them soaking up all they had to teach until he felt ready to undertake their life himself. He pushed further and further out into the Egyptian desert in search of solitude to pursue holiness and the contemplation of God. His biographer, Athanasius, recounts the constant battles that Antony had with demons in the desert, the miracles he performed, and how he was sought out by both Christians and non-Christians for his wisdom and insight.

Antony was by no means the first monk. He was part of a growing movement of men and women who believed that a call to follow Jesus was a serious call to holiness, which could only be achieved by literally turning their backs on the world and seeking to train themselves in virtue. They lived together in small groups or alone with the single-minded goal of seeking the kingdom of God. Rather than being seen as quacks or extremists, monks were often well respected and sought out by Christians and non-Christians alike. Antony gained renown in Egypt and beyond for his exemplary life, and he was highly regarded by Athanasius, who was bishop of Alexandria during Antony’s life, who also wrote Antony’s biography after his death. Through the biography, the life of Antony became even more well-known and continued to impact people in the ancient world.  

What can we learn from the life of Saint Antony?

Athanasius wrote his biography of Antony so that his life would continue to have impact and be a source of encouragement to people who wanted to pursue holiness. So, what can we take away from the life of Saint Antony?

Imitation is powerful

Early monasticism was far from organized. It was a very grass roots, informal movement. Individuals wanting to pursue a life of holiness often learned by trial and error what helped or hindered their progress in godliness. However, more experienced monks often took on disciples who would pattern their lives after their teachers and commit themselves to complete obedience of their masters. They passed on their way of life through the simple process of one monk imitating the life of another. We should do the same. We ought to look around for examples to imitate in the faith. We should seek out the humble, the servant hearted, those with great prayer lives, or great marriages. These people may not broadcast their achievements, but if we’re attentive we’ll see them all around us. We should seek these people out and imitate their godly example.

Spiritual warfare is constant

The life of Saint Antony is full of accounts of struggles against demons. Athanasius recounts an entire sermon that Antony gave on recognizing and overcoming demons. We live in an age where this kind of talk, simply put, sounds bizarre. Spirits are supposed to be the mark of undeveloped societies and irrational people, but Scripture, particularly the New Testament, is full of encounters with demons and Antony, along with the ancient church, took the spiritual world seriously. In Antony’s sermon he says the chief aim of demons is to work against the people of God, but they can’t do any real harm to God’s people, only lie and threaten. Their work is to temp and try to deceive. But we do not need to be afraid, because he says, "So then we ought to fear God only, and despise the demons, and be in no fear of them. But the more they do these things all the more let us intensify our discipline against them, for a good life and faith in God is a great weapon." We don’t need to obsess about the work of Satan, but we do need to be aware that there is an enemy of our souls, who seeks by every means possible to draw us and others away from God. Antony reminds us that the battle is real and gives us tools to spot the enemy.  

A godly life is a life well lived

Athanasius describes Antony like this,

Yet neither in height nor breadth was he conspicuous above others, but in the serenity of his manner and the purity of his soul. For as his soul was free from disturbances, his outward appearance was calm; so from the joy of his soul he possessed a cheerful countenance, and from his bodily movements could be perceived the condition of his soul.... Thus Antony was recognized, for he was never disturbed, for his soul was at peace; he was never downcast, for his mind was joyous.

Despite his austere life, Antony wasn’t bitter and miserable. Sometimes we have this image of a holy person as someone who is overly serious and devoid of happiness, a person with a scowl on his face all the time looking to bring an end to any happiness he sees, but Antony’s entire way of being communicated peace, serenity, joy and cheerfulness. Who doesn’t want to live like that? Life can be difficult, and pain comes with the territory, but if somehow as Christians we aren’t growing in joy over time, we’re doing something wrong. Maybe there are things that if we gave them up, we would have more time for God and equally more joy.

Holiness has influence

Antony’s impact upon the region was profound according to Athanasius. He says, 

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 immediately put off his sorrow? Who came in anger and was not converted to friendship? What poor and low-spirited man met him who, hearing him and looking upon him, did not despise wealth and console himself in his poverty? What monk, having been neglectful, came to him and became not all the stronger? What young man having come to the mountain and seen Antony, did not immediately deny himself pleasure and love temperance? Who when tempted by a demon, came to him and did not find rest? And who came troubled with doubts and did not get quietness of mind?

Antony didn’t seek to be a public figure, quite the opposite in fact. He sought to be as far away and separated from society as he could get, but despite his desire to be alone, his sanctity was like a beacon that drew people to him. Philosophers sought him out, and emperors wrote him letters. He was able to be of great use to people all over the ancient Roman world because he devoted himself first and foremost to seeking the kingdom of God. There is a saying, which is a knock against overly religious people, that "they are so heavenly minded, that they are of no earthly good." But the life of Saint Antony demonstrates just the opposite; those who are the most heavenly minded do the most earthly good.