St. Anthony the Great

Anthony was born about 250 A.D. to noble parents in Egypt. After their death, he made provision for his younger sister but gave away his half of their large inheritance to dedicate his life to one of asceticism.

As a young man, St. Anthony heard the Gospel passage: If you would be perfect, sell all that you have, give it to the poor and come, follow Me. (Mt. 19:21). In following this command, he spent the next 20 years of his life in solitude near the Red Sea. His life of prayer, overcoming demonic temptation, and finally attaining purity and wisdom, inspired others to come to Christ. St. Anthony was one of the most learned men of his time; his eloquent defense of the Orthodox belief in Christ, against charges of heresy, earned him the title of St. Anthony the Great.

Although others were living a monastic life in his time, St. Anthony's life inspired the movement worldwide, including Egypt, Nubia, Ethiopia, Libya, Palestine, Greece, Italy, France, Ireland, Russia, and now America. As such, he is considered to be the "patriarch" of monastic life. St. Anthony died at the age of 105 in 356 A.D. and is honored each January 17^th.