A short paper describing Saint Anthony’s life

The life of Saint Anthony has been the source of attraction to so many scholars, writers, preachers and sinners all over the world. His life is so rich in character, emotion and dignity.

The writer Athanasius presents Antony as a prudent bee (Vita S. Antoni, page 196, part 3).* Athanasius  a great number of qualities of Antony. Some of these qualities are his acceptance by all those who meet him, willingness to learn at all times, humility, great courage, cheerful and peaceful attitude towards all people. S. Antony was distinguished by his strong defense of Pope Athanasius and his teaching against Arians.

Antony’s attitude towards learning was surpassing to anyone. He loved his continuous learning from anyone and all his surroundings (Vita S. Antoni, page 196, part 4).

He observed the graciousness of one; the unceasing prayer of another; he took knowledge of anther's freedom from anger and anther's loving kindness; he gave heed to one as he watched, to another as he studied; one she admired for his endurance, another for his fasting and sleeping on the ground; the meekness of one and the long suffering of another he watched with care,

One of Anthony’s greatest qualities is the emulation of the life of Christ. Anthony emulated the life of Christ in prayer, fasting, the comfort of the body, conquering the devil, cheerfulness, performing miracles and humility.

Antony had a great zeal in vigil to such an extent that he often continued the whole night in prayer without sleep (Vita S. Antoni, page 198, part 7).

Antony ate once a day after sunset; sometimes once in two days, and often in four. He ate bread and salt, and drank water only (Vita S. Antoni, page 198, part 7).

Antony had a great deal in fighting the devil (Vita S. Antoni, page 198, part 8)

Antony entered on of the tombs, and the others having shut the door on him, he remained within alone. And when the enemy could not endure it, but was even fearful that in a short time Antony would fill the desert with the discipline, one night a multitude of demons came and cut him with strips that he lay on the ground speechless from he excessive pain. He asserted that the torture had been so excessive that no blows inflected by man could ever have caused him such torment.

Another incident (Vita S. Antoni, page 207, part 40)

At another time, while Antony was fasting, the devil came full of craft, under the semblance of monk, with what seemed to be loaves, and gave Anthony counsel, saying, “eat and cease from thy many labours. Thou also art a man and art like to fall sick.” But Anthony, perceiving his deviousness, rose up to pray; and the devil could not endure it,**

Despite Anthony’s harsh way of living, he was merry and cheerful 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, as it is written, (Prov 15:13 NKJV)  “A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.”

One can not ignore the power of miracles and the associated humility of S. Antony. Antony had the virtue of performing miracles by the power of Christ the Saviour. One of his miracles was casting out an evil spirit from the daughter of a military officer named Martinian. When Martinian went to Antony and knocked on his door, Antony asked “Why dost thou call on me? I am also a man even as you. But if you believe on Christ whom I serve, go, and according as you believe, pray to God, and it shall come to pass. Straightaway, therefore, he departed, believing and calling upon Christ, and he received his daughter cleansed from the devil (Vita S. Antoni, page 209, part 48).

The involvement of Anthony in an important theological debate

When Antony knew about the Arians were to assert their wrong belief that the Son has been created and thus not equal with God the Father. Antony came down from the mountain and entered Alexandria and denounced the Arians’ heresy. He taught the people that the Son of God was not a created being, neither had he come into being from non-existence, but that he was the eternal Word and Wisdom of the essence of the Father (Vita S. Antoni, page 214, part 69).