The First Monk

Far out at an isolated oasis, deep in the Egyptian desert, Antony stroked the lion’s head, looked at the group of people who approached him cautiously, and sighed. “They have found us. Now we will have to look for a new place to stay so that I and you can be alone with God.” One of the men fingered his sword and stared at the lion with large eyes. Antony smiled at the newcomers and said: “Don’t bother; he won’t bite.”

Saint Antony, also known as Saint Antony of Egypt or Saint Antony the Great is considered to be the first Christian monk. His life is seen as a model of saintly existence, and his teachings have inspired Christians to this very day.

He was born in the year 251 AD in a village in Upper Egypt called Coma. He grew up in a Christian family and received a good education. In the year 269, 18-year-old Antony, recently orphaned, arrived in church just as the preacher read the gospel in which Jesus, the man whom Christians believe to be the son of God, who came to earth to die for our sins on the cross at Calvary, tells a rich man to sell what he had, give it to the poor, and follow Christ. Antony saw this as a personal message to him from God. He did what the gospel commanded: he sold his inheritance, distributed the proceeds among the needy, and gave his goods to the poor. He left his village, and began an eighty-seven year life of solitude, prayer, and discipline in the desert.

The idea of rejecting the world is as old as Christianity itself. Jesus urged some people to sell all they had and follow him, and He spoke of forsaking family and sex. The book of Acts describes the first Christians in Jerusalem giving up private property and apportioning everything among them. However, this should not be interpreted that all Christians should embrace communal living. In addition, Paul, the apostle, a famous missionary, preferred that Christians not marry.

Antony’s ideas were thus not completely unheard of or new.

He spent about fifteen years in complete seclusion, praying, fasting, and practicing rigorous asceticism. He ate little, wore itchy clothes, made from coarse materials, like rough sackcloth or camel hair, to remind him of the need for self-denial and to resist the allure of worldly pleasures, and he rarely bathed.

Antony grew some vegetables and wove baskets, which he sold to buy necessities. Antony emphasized the value of work and the dignity of labor. He often said, “Let us always remember that work is a gift from God. By engaging in honest and diligent work, we participate in God’s creative activity and contribute to the well-being of others.”

Stability was important to him. He said “Just as fish die if they stay too long out of water, so the monks who loiter outside their cells…lose the intensity of inner peace.” Once, while St. Anthony was in his cell, a mule entered and began to disturb him by kicking and trampling his belongings. Instead of getting angry or trying to drive the mule away, Anthony patiently endured the disturbance. He calmly told the mule, “If you want to destroy my possessions, you are free to do so. But I will not allow you to destroy my inner peace.” The mule apparently calmed down and left without causing any further damage or harm.

During his early years of solitude, he travelled to meet Paul the Hermit, also known as Paul of Thebes, a well-known saint. Saint Paul was widely admired and it was said that he had lived in seclusion for almost ninety years.

Saint Paul encouraged and affirmed Saint Antony in his chosen path of asceticism and devotion. He recognized Antony’s calling and the importance of his future role as a spiritual leader. Saint Paul blessed Antony, which further strengthened his resolve. Antony then returned to his own dwelling, while Saint Paul continued his solitary life until his death.

During his early years of solitude, Antony constantly faced temptations in the form of family, money, glory, good food, and sex.

Saint Athanasius, the bishop of Alexandria, wrote a biography of Antony in which he describes many of his antagonisms in terms of altercations with fallen angels, also called demons.

These confrontations tested Antony’s faith, trust, and commitment to God.

According to the account, the demons palpably assaulted Antony, inflicting agony and affliction on his anatomy. They would beat him, scratch him, and leave him wounded, seeking to erode his resolve and drive him away from his ascetic aspirations.

Sometimes the demons would appear to him in enticing forms, as sexy, sultry, seductive women, attempting to lure him into indulging in worldly pleasures and sensual desires. They would present illusions of sumptuous feasts, and other sensual delights, trying to distract him from his pursuit of spiritual purity. These visions might have been caused by Antony’s suppression of his sex drive and a yearning for good food.

He later said “It is not by chastising the body that one prevails over its desires, but by prayer and divine grace.”

The demons bombarded Antony’s mind with impure and blasphemous thoughts, attempting to make him doubt, sow confusion, and make him despair.

The evil spirits made him question the goodness of God and whether the Lord would provide for his needs. They tried to make him question whether God truly cared for him and whether his ascetic life, a life of solitude and seclusion, long hours of fervent prayer, both out loud and silent, contemplation, seeking communion with God, fasting, abstaining from food for extended periods, vigilant watch over his thoughts, words, and actions, striving to behave virtuously and guarding against any sinful tendencies, enduring extreme heat, cold, and harsh weather conditions, wearing simple and rough garments, and at times, sleeping on the bare ground or on a bed of stones, renouncing all material possessions and embracing a life of poverty, and abstaining from sex, was all in vain.

They further tempted Antony with thoughts of spiritual superiority and pride, attempting to make him believe that he was becoming holier than others, fueling his ego and inflating his sense of self-importance, leading him away from humility and genuine spiritual growth, since God hates pride, and humility is one of the greatest Christian virtues.

Antony said “A man ought to be on his guard against himself, as though he were his own enemy, and against his own faults, which are in fact more to be feared than any visible enemies.”

The fiends attempted to make him feel distant from God and devoid of His presence, by intensifying feelings of loneliness, isolation, and spiritual emptiness, to discourage him from his spiritual pursuits.

They tried to wear him down by overwhelming him with a sense of weariness, making him feel exhausted, both physically and spiritually, and discouraging him, tempting him to abandon his lifestyle and return to a more comfortable and worldly existence. Much of this could be interpreted as his own thoughts and doubts.

At times the demons pretended to be heavenly beings, performing false miracles and giving deceptive displays of power, trying to deceive Antony and lead him astray from the true path of devotion.

They also used fear and intimidation to try and break his resolve, appearing in terrifying forms, making frightening noises, creating distractions and disturbances around him, disrupting his prayers and meditations, and creating an atmosphere of terror, hoping to shake his faith and make him flee from his chosen path.

Despite the relentless efforts of the demons, Antony persevered in his goals through prayer and fasting and ultimately emerged victorious over their temptations.

He later said: “Whoever has not experienced temptation cannot enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.”

Antony became renowned for his ability to heal the sick and afflicted. People came from far and wide to him, seeking healing for various ailments. Through his prayers and blessings, many were said to have been cured of their illnesses. He had the ability to restore the sanity of those suffering from mental diseases, with his presence and prayers bringing calmness and inner healing for those tormented by psychological illness. Antony also possessed the power to drive out demons and heal those who were possessed and through his spiritual authority and fervent prayers, he freed people from demonic possession.

Unlike modern-day “faith healers” who often sell mere snake-oil remedies at a steep price, Antony did not demand a lot of money from those he helped heal by interceding through prayer on their behalf with God, who is the true healer.

Even animals would come to him for healing, showing his deep connection with all of God’s creation. One day, according to legend, Antony came upon a ferocious lion that was terrorizing the local inhabitants. It was wounded and suffering.

Antony rebuked the lion for causing harm, and approached it, seemingly tamed by his presence, and saw a thorn was deeply embedded in its paw. He gently removed the thorn, tending to the lion’s wound with care and love. After the lion was healed, it stayed by his side, becoming his companion and guardian in the desert. The lion became a symbol of his harmonious relationship with the animal kingdom.

In another story, Antony came across a sick sheep that was suffering from a severe illness. He laid his hands upon it, and prayed for its healing. As a result, the sheep was miraculously cured, and it followed Antony around as a sign of gratitude.

Hopefully the lion never tried to eat the sheep.

Antony also encountered a mule that was lame due to an injury. He prayed over the mule, invoking God’s healing power, which, miraculously, restored it to full health. The mule gratefully bowed down to him in recognition of his divine intercession.

During the persecution of Christians by the Roman Emperor Maximinus, many monks and ascetics were captured and imprisoned. Saint Antony fearlessly entered the city where they were held captive and, through divine intervention, managed to secure their release and restore them to their monastic lives. This act of courage and compassion showed Antony’s dedication to his fellow monks and his commitment to defending the faith. His faith clearly made him brave.

He said “If you wish to avoid falling, don’t look down when you are walking on the edge of a precipice; it is better to keep your eyes fixed ahead on the destination,” encouraging believers to keep their focus on God, rather than on worldly distractions or dwelling on potential pitfalls.

News of his holiness and spiritual insights spread and Antony began attracting disciples who sought his guidance. Men and a few women chose to imitate his life. He became a spiritual father and mentor to many, offering them, counsel, teaching, and setting an example of Christian virtue.

Once, a group of his disciples asked him how they could attain perfection. Anthony pointed to a nearby field filled with various plants and said, “First, the plants grow, then the flower appears, and finally, the fruit is produced. Likewise, it is through patience and steadfastness in the spiritual life that one attains perfection.”

Antony once met a monk who was troubled by his thoughts of bitterness and resentment towards a fellow monk. To show the destructive nature of such thoughts, Anthony filled a basin with water and put some acid in it. He asked the monk to dip his hand into the basin, and as soon as he did, he felt intense pain. Anthony explained that just as the acid harmed his hand, so too did the acidic thoughts harm his soul. The monk learned the lesson and set out to replace his negative thoughts with love and forgiveness.

As word of Antony’s wisdom spread, even the Roman emperor wrote to him for advice.

There were doctrinal disputes among Christians at this time. Antony played an important role in these theological controversies. He strongly opposed the Arian heresy, which denied the divinity of Christ, and stood firmly in defense of orthodox Christianity.

Arius, a presbyter, an elder or minister of the Christian Church, from Alexandria, Egypt, set forth the teachings that came to be known as Arianism. Arius and his followers argued that Jesus Christ, though divine, was a created being and, therefore, subordinate to God the Father. They denied the doctrine of the Trinity and the co-eternity and co-equality of the Son with the Father.

These ideas challenged the orthodox understanding of Christ’s divinity that had been established at the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD. The Council of Nicaea affirmed the Nicene Creed, which emphasized that Jesus the Son is of the same substance or essence as the Father and that Jesus Christ was “begotten, not made, of one substance with the Father.”

It led to intense debates, with even the emperors of the Roman Empire, including Constantine and later his sons, becoming involved in the dispute, exerting political influence over the Church’s decisions.

Antony supported the Council of Nicaea’s decrees. He entered Alexandria more than once to support his position against the Arians.

He emphasized that people must know themselves, a theme traceable to ancient Greek philosophers. Antony argued that anyone who knows himself or herself knows God and that the error of the heretic Arius is that he did not know himself.

Antony’s stress on the inward journey became an important theme in subsequent monastic writing.

Emperor Constantine requested his support for the Arian cause, but Antony firmly refused and openly condemned their teachings. His unwavering stand against heresy solidified his reputation as a defender of the true faith.

Ultimately, the Arian position was condemned as heretical. Following the Council of Nicaea, Arius was excommunicated by the bishops for his heretical teachings and he was banished from Alexandria, along with many of his followers.

However, various forms of Arianism persisted for several decades. At the Council of Constantinople in 381 A.D., Arianism was officially condemned again and declared a heresy.

Emperor Constantine desired to meet the renowned hermit and spiritual father, Antony. When Antony learned of the emperor’s request, he agreed to the meeting and traveled to Alexandria, where Constantine was present at the imperial palace.

It is often portrayed as a meeting between spiritual asceticism and worldly power, highlighting the tension, and profound differences between the values of the monastic life and the realities of political leadership.

During their meeting, Constantine expressed his admiration for Antony’s piety and sought his spiritual guidance. Antony, known for his humility and simplicity, advised Constantine on matters of faith and emphasized the importance of true devotion and integrity.

According to some accounts, Antony questioned Constantine’s sincerity in embracing Christianity and warned him against the temptations of worldly power. He reminded Constantine that true greatness lies in humble service and a genuine commitment to Christ’s teachings.

The emperor, impressed by Antony’s wisdom and holiness, humbly asked for his blessings.

Antony also met Saint Athanasius, the bishop of Alexandria, whose biography of Antony spread his teachings and established his reputation as a spiritual giant. This book became a model for future saints’ lives.

According to Athanasius, when he was writing the biography, Saint Antony miraculously appeared to him in a vision, providing him with additional insights and confirming the accuracy of his account.

In one account Saint Antony encountered a wealthy merchant who, out of envy and greed, sought to test his renowned detachment from material possessions. The merchant offered Antony a silver bowl filled with gold coins, pretending to seek his blessing. Antony, aware of the merchant’s true intentions, took the bowl, thanked him, and promptly buried it in the ground, demonstrating his complete renunciation of worldly wealth.

Antony also met a pagan philosopher, who attempted to convince him of the superiority of pagan philosophy and the futility of Christian beliefs. However, Antony responded with humility, simplicity, and wisdom rather than engaging in intellectual arguments.

Antony mocked much of the mythology of the Greeks, saying the gods of the Olympic pantheon were demons. He pointed out that although Christians were persecuted and followers of pagan cults were not, Christianity was winning. The philosopher asked how Antony lived without books, and the saint told the philosopher that his book was nature, in which he could read about God at any time.

He said “The path of virtue is a narrow path, and the gate of life is small, and there are few who find it.”

Witnessing Antony’s unwavering faith, spiritual strength, and the miracles associated with his life, the pagan philosopher was deeply moved and converted to Christianity. He abandoned his former beliefs and became a follower of Antony.

Antony mocked much of the mythology of the Greeks, saying the gods of the Olympic pantheon were demons. He pointed out that although Christians were persecuted and followers of pagan cults were not, Christianity was winning. The philosopher asked how Antony lived without books, and the saint told the philosopher that his book was nature, in which he could read about God at any time.

His most famous saying is: “A time is coming when men will go mad, and when they see someone who is not mad, they will attack him, saying, ‘You are mad; you are not like us.’” That is very prescient and perhaps he was referring to our own time.

He often stressed that monks should not avoid temptation but, rather, pray for the ability to overcome it. He emphasized the importance of humility, love for others, and the pursuit of inner purity.

Antony sought greater solitude as he got older by living in ever-more-remote parts of Egypt.

He said “I no longer fear God, but I love Him. For love casts out fear.”

Towards the end of his life, Antony had a premonition of his impending death. He called two of his closest disciples, instructed them on his burial arrangements, and asked them to bring a cloak woven by Saint Athanasius to be used as his burial shroud. True to his intuition, Antony passed away peacefully, at the ripe old age of a hundred and five, and his disciples carried out his final wishes.

Antony’s way of life can be seen as a kind of martyrdom because he gave up all luxuries and comfort for a life of contemplation and servitude to God.

Saint Augustine, one of the most important figures in all of Christianity, whose exploration of various theological concepts, such as original sin, divine grace, predestination, and the nature of God, significantly shaped Western Christian theology, and whose works, particularly his “Confessions” and his magnum opus, “The City of God,” presenting a comprehensive vision of Christian philosophy of history and politics, exploring the contrast between the City of God and the City of Man, addressing the relationship between earthly societies and the Kingdom of God , examining the nature of evil, the role of the church, and the unfolding of God’s redemptive plan throughout history, continues to be widely studied and influential, and whose doctrine of original sin, emphasizing the inherited sinfulness of humanity through Adam and Eve’s disobedience in the Garden of Eden, had a lasting impact on Christian theology, played a significant role in shaping Christian understanding of human nature, salvation, and the need for divine grace, was deeply influenced by the life and teachings of Saint Antony. Augustine’s reading of Antony’s biography played a crucial role in his own conversion and spiritual journey, inspiring him to abandon his previous way of life and embracing a path of holiness.

Augustine’s intellectual and theological ideas have shaped the development of Western Christian thought and inspired countless theologians, philosophers, and scholars throughout the centuries.

Saint Antony is often regarded as the patron saint of domestic animals. It is believed that his affinity for the animal kingdom stemmed from his deep understanding of the interconnectedness of all creation. As a result, many people seek his intercession for the well-being and protection of their beloved pets and livestock.

The monastic movement he helped initiate, spread throughout the Christian world, influencing the development of Western monasticism. His teachings and example continue to inspire monks, nuns, ordinary Christians, and spiritual seekers to this day, emphasizing the importance of solitude, prayer, and a radical commitment to God.

However, Christians who live most of the time cut off from other Christians might begin to stray in their beliefs, not having others against whom they can bounce off ideas, or who can support them in times when they are wavering in their faith.

Right now the world is going crazy and those who do not believe in Christian values are changing the world to their liking. I believe we have to oppose this. To best serve the Lord, we need resources. If we are to spread the word of God, convert more people to His cause, and reclaim the culture, we will need money, lots of it, to write, publish and distribute books, make movies, both documentaries and feature films, even Christian themed video games, send missionaries and speakers far and wide, and counter some of the other side’s moves, by paying lawyers to fight for our rights.

I would argue that Christians should not withdraw from the world, but rather engage with it, since the world needs our Judeo-Christian values now more than ever, but that we must never become part of the world, standing apart, keeping our eyes fixed on God, and serving Him to the best of our abilities.

Athanasius described the desert as a city because it filled up with monks who came to imitate Antony. I will tell you more about these desert fathers (and mothers) next time.

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Thank you.