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Saint Anthony the Great
A father of desert monasticism
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Life and witness
Anthony lived in Egypt in the third and fourth centuries. The Life of Anthony, traditionally attributed to Athanasius, helped spread knowledge of his ascetic witness. Accounts of spiritual struggles should be read as hagiographical testimony, not as instructions to imitate extreme practices without guidance.
Historical setting
The Life of Anthony describes a young Egyptian who responded to the Gospel by distributing his inheritance and seeking an ascetic life. His growth involved learning from other ascetics before periods of solitude. The account presents prayer, work, and discernment together: desert life was not simply escape from other people or a pursuit of extraordinary experiences.
Legacy and remembrance
Anthony became a point of reference for others seeking monastic life, although he did not write a single universal rule for every monastery. The Life associated with Athanasius is the principal early narrative of his witness. Stories of demonic conflict belong to that narrative’s spiritual and literary setting. His fixed commemoration is January 17.
More about the life
Before withdrawing farther into the desert, Anthony had responsibility for his younger sister after their parents died. The received Life describes him arranging her care, giving away his inherited property, and supporting himself by manual work. He also set aside help for people in need. His first ascetic years were spent near his village, learning from experienced neighbors rather than immediately becoming an isolated teacher. These details show the gradual formation of his vocation and the practical responsibilities that preceded his better-known solitude.
Quotes
A sourced selection, not a popularity ranking. Quote wording stays in the cited language; context notes are editorial.
Recorded saying · English source
Let this especially be the common aim of all, neither to give way having once begun, nor to faint in trouble, nor to say: We have lived in the discipline a long time: but rather as though making a beginning daily let us increase our earnestness.
Life of Antony, traditionally attributed to Athanasius · Section 16; address to the monks
Context and edition
Words presented as Antony’s speech by the hagiographical Life, not an autograph or a modern transcript. Monastic counsel is not an individual fasting prescription.
H. Ellershaw, NPNF, Second Series, volume 4 (1892)
Public-domain ancient text and historical English translation.
Recorded saying · English source
Why not rather get those things which we can take away with us—to wit, prudence, justice, temperance, courage, understanding, love, kindness to the poor, faith in Christ, freedom from wrath, hospitality?
Life of Antony, traditionally attributed to Athanasius · Section 17; address to the monks
Context and edition
Recorded monastic teaching contrasts possessions with virtues. The Life’s literary attribution is distinguished from direct authorship.
H. Ellershaw, NPNF, Second Series, volume 4 (1892)
Public-domain ancient text and historical English translation.
Recorded saying · English source
And as we have received the soul as a deposit, let us preserve it for the Lord, that He may recognise His work as being the same as He made it.
Life of Antony, traditionally attributed to Athanasius · Section 20; address to the monks
Context and edition
Part of the Life’s recorded address on virtue and the soul’s created goodness.
H. Ellershaw, NPNF, Second Series, volume 4 (1892)
Public-domain ancient text and historical English translation.
Recorded saying · English source
For the working of signs is not ours but the Saviour’s work:
Life of Antony, traditionally attributed to Athanasius · Section 38; address to the monks
Context and edition
The excerpt ends at the colon, before a quotation of Luke 10:20. The address warns against boasting in exorcisms or healings.
H. Ellershaw, NPNF, Second Series, volume 4 (1892)
Public-domain ancient text and historical English translation.
Recorded saying · English source
Thus if we are wishful to despise the enemy, let us ever ponder over the things of the Lord, and let the soul ever rejoice in hope.
Life of Antony, traditionally attributed to Athanasius · Section 42; address to the monks
Context and edition
Encouragement within the Life’s account of spiritual warfare, not a medical diagnosis of anxiety or intrusive thoughts.
H. Ellershaw, NPNF, Second Series, volume 4 (1892)
Public-domain ancient text and historical English translation.
Readings
Selected reading
Athanasius of Alexandria, Life of St. Antony, 16 (trans. Henry Ellershaw, NPNF, Second Series, vol. 4, 1892)
Let this especially be the common aim of all, neither to give way having once begun, nor to faint in trouble, nor to say: We have lived in the discipline a long time: but rather as though making a beginning daily let us increase our earnestness.
English: cited historical translation. Modern Greek, Russian and Macedonian: LogosPharos translations through English, not direct translations from ancient Greek.
Editorial context
Athanasius places this address among the words Antony spoke to the monks who assembled around him in the desert, having just said that the Scriptures are enough for instruction. He adds that life is short compared with the age to come, so steady daily effort, not length of practice, is what matters.
View source text
Source text and edition
Let this especially be the common aim of all, neither to give way having once begun, nor to faint in trouble, nor to say: We have lived in the discipline a long time: but rather as though making a beginning daily let us increase our earnestness.
Henry Ellershaw, NPNF, Second Series, vol. 4, 1892, English translation of the cited life. Greek, Russian and Macedonian below are relay translations through English, not direct translations from the source language.
https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/2811.htm
Words recorded in the sources
Each quotation is reproduced from the cited source without changing its wording; its translation basis is stated in its source panel.
the fibre of the soul is then sound when the pleasures of the body are diminished.
Athanasius of Alexandria, Life of St. Antony, 7 (trans. Henry Ellershaw, NPNF, Second Series, vol. 4, 1892)
English: cited historical translation. Modern Greek, Russian and Macedonian: LogosPharos translations through English, not direct translations from ancient Greek.
View source text
Source text and edition
the fibre of the soul is then sound when the pleasures of the body are diminished.
Henry Ellershaw, NPNF, Second Series, vol. 4, 1892, English translation of the cited life. Greek, Russian and Macedonian below are relay translations through English, not direct translations from the source language.
https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/2811.htm
Pray continually; avoid vainglory; sing psalms before sleep and on awaking; hold in your heart the commandments of Scripture
Athanasius of Alexandria, Life of St. Antony, 55 (trans. Henry Ellershaw, NPNF, Second Series, vol. 4, 1892)
English: cited historical translation. Modern Greek, Russian and Macedonian: LogosPharos translations through English, not direct translations from ancient Greek.
View source text
Source text and edition
Pray continually; avoid vainglory; sing psalms before sleep and on awaking; hold in your heart the commandments of Scripture
Henry Ellershaw, NPNF, Second Series, vol. 4, 1892, English translation of the cited life. Greek, Russian and Macedonian below are relay translations through English, not direct translations from the source language.
https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/2811.htm
Man, why do you call on me? I also am a man even as you.
Athanasius of Alexandria, Life of St. Antony, 48 (trans. Henry Ellershaw, NPNF, Second Series, vol. 4, 1892)
English: cited historical translation. Modern Greek, Russian and Macedonian: LogosPharos translations through English, not direct translations from ancient Greek.
View source text
Source text and edition
Man, why do you call on me? I also am a man even as you.
Henry Ellershaw, NPNF, Second Series, vol. 4, 1892, English translation of the cited life. Greek, Russian and Macedonian below are relay translations through English, not direct translations from the source language.
https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/2811.htm
Translations and context are AI-assisted and editorially reviewed, not independently certified by a scholar. Compare the displayed source text; short selections are not complete works.
Writings and works
Checked against Eastern Orthodox sources. Written works, recorded teaching, and works about the saint are distinguished.
Anthony’s seven letters are distinguished from the Twenty Sermons and monastic Rule, whose authenticity the linked Church account questions. The Life of Anthony is by Athanasius, not Anthony.
Seven Letters to monastic communities
Traditional attribution
Only letters 1–7 in the linked twenty-letter collection are attributed to Anthony; the library assigns the remaining letters to Ammonas and other authors.
Attribution source: Azbyka Vera Orthodox library
Life of Anthony
Work about the saint · By Saint Athanasius the Great
Attribution source: Azbyka Vera Orthodox library
Church life and commemoration
Work about the saint
Attribution source: Eastern Orthodox Church account
External sources may be in another language. Modern editions and translations can be copyrighted; full books are not copied here.
Miracles and testimony
These summaries distinguish Scripture, hagiographical accounts and later testimony. A source establishes that an event was reported, not independent proof of its supernatural cause. Miracles are attributed to God, not autonomous powers of saints. Reports of healing are not medical advice or a promise of recovery.
Hagiographical account
Athanasius, Life of Antony §57
Athanasius recounts that Fronto, a court official with a severe illness, sought Antony’s prayer. Antony told him to return to Egypt; the Life reports that his suffering ceased on his return.
Read the sourceHagiographical account
Athanasius, Life of Antony §54
Athanasius describes Antony travelling with monks through a waterless desert. When their supplies ran out and they could no longer continue, Antony knelt in prayer away from the group. The Life reports that water sprang up where he prayed; the travellers drank, refilled their containers and continued their journey. The narrator attributes their rescue to the Lord, not to a technique for producing water.
Read the sourceResearch and reading notes
These are original editorial biographies, not copied source translations. Scripture, historical writing, and hagiographical tradition are distinguished in the text. This page is a study introduction, not an exhaustive critical edition or a personal spiritual rule.
The saints listed here are commemorated by Eastern Orthodox churches. These summaries and translations are independent editorial work, not official Church publications or Church-approved translations.
Church sources
https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/01/17/100216-venerable-and-god-bearing-father-anthony-the-great