How antony remained hale until his death, and how the fame of him filled all the world. Ellershaw, life of antony, in select writings and letters of athanasius, bishop of alexandria, anpnf new york, 1892, 195221. It is a good contest in which you have entered with the monks of egypt, purposing to equal or surpass them in your resolute exercise of virtue. Now since you asked me to give you an account of the blessed antonys way of life and are wishful to learn how he began the discipline, who and what manner of. Athanasius the life of antony is one of the foremost classics of christian asceticism. The present volume contains the most important document of early monasticism, the life of st. The life of saint antony, issue 10 saint athanasius patriarch of alexandria, saint anthony of egypt, athanasius, walter j. Life of st antony by st athanasius the life and conversation of our holy father, antony. It is specially good at seeing certain truths and specially liable to make certain mistakes. Antony, which has been read within christian and historical contexts for centuries. The life of antony a biography of saint anthony the great was athanasius most widely read work. This document has been generated from xsl extensible stylesheet language source with.
Life of anthony internet history sourcebooks project. Several briefer theological treatises are preserved, however, and a number of letters, mainly administrative. The life of saint antony, written by saint athanasius the apostolic, is one of the most influential writings in all of christian literature, and has inspired many to pursue the monastic. The life and conversation of our holy father, antony. As bishop of alexandria, spiritual master and theologian, he led the church in its battle against the arain heresy. Now since you asked me to give you an account of the blessed antonys way of life, and are wishful to learn how he began the discipline, who and what manner. Athanasius provided a strong hagiographical account of the life of st. Anthony is included in the present collection partly on account of the important influence it has exercised upon the development of the ascetic life in the church, partly and more especially on the ground of its strong claim to rank as a work of athanasius. Coptic life of antony, and encomium on saint antony by john of shmun. Jun 15, 2015 we do need to read the old books from the christian tradition and one of the most important of these books is a book that you may well never have heard of, the life of anthony. Athanasius of alexandria free catholic audiobook posted on june 25, 2014 by catholicaudiobooks anthony 2556ce lived in egypt, and became one of the fathers of christian desert monasticism. Another of anasthasius works that had longlasting impact was his life of antony, written between 356362 a. Athanasius, holy cross greek orthodox seminary, fall 2017 last modified.
Antony, however, according to his custom, returned alone to his own cell, increased his discipline, and sighed daily as he thought of the mansions in heaven, having his desire fixed on them, and pondering over the shortness of mans life. About the year 365, athanasius, at the request of some monkswestern, as it is supposeddrew up a life of st. Antony of the desert, and the father of monasticism, both east. Anthony became the paradigm for the genre of christian hagiography adhered to by subsequent authors. Anthony moved to the desert to begin a life of penance, prayer and fasting, and, in by doing so, became the first christian hermit to live and pray. Anthony was not, in fact, the first christian monk, but is thought to be the first to choose to live in the desert in seclusion. Pdf life of antony as narrative of athanasian theology. Jun 25, 2019 athanasius used it to subtly defend his beliefs while chronicling the life of this religious hermit. The same time lived antony the monk in the deserts of. Athanasius as theologian of sanctification life of antony.
The life of pachomius, which as above mentioned has details of antony s life independent of the vita, also mentions the latter c. In an essay entitled on the reading of old books c s lewis argues as follows for the importance of reading books from the past. Circular to bishops of egypt and libya ad episcopos aegypti, atkinsons translation, notes of newman, revised by rev. Antony, generally considered the father of christian monasticism, was born circa 250 a. Anthony of the desert, known as the father of monasticism. Only fragments remain of sermons and biblical commentaries. Athanasius as theologian of sanctification life of antony vita antonii c. You have entered upon a noble rivalry with the monks of. The life of antony and the letter to marcellinus, classics of western spirituality new york.
Life of antony as narrative of athanasian theology. Publication date 20080429 usage public domain topics audiobook religion, history, biography. Athanasius is the earliest source for the life of st. Jul 28, 2016 in the end, athanasius the life of st. The method of athanasius in the life of antony through arrangement of material, developed themes, and extended dialogues exposes the authors theological. Antony, which was soon translated into latin and did much to spread the ascetic ideal in east and west. Not only was the book widely circulated in the fourth century, but it did much to establish the validity of monasticism and inspired countless christians to become monks and nuns.
St athanasius and the greek life of antony, the journal of theological studies, volume 39, issue 2, 1 october 1988, pages 504509. Though written perhaps as late as 390, this document is of great weight as evidence in the case see kruger in theol. Antonys answers to a philosopher, and to didymus, are given by socrates iv. In 357 ad, st athanasius wrote life of antony in greek for the world to read. This biography set the standard for lives of saints. Even if this account is small compared with his merit, still from this reflect how great antony, the man of god, was. He goes to the desert and overcomes temptations on the way. This is the end of antonys life in the body and the above was the beginning of the discipline. The life of antonys folktale surface should not lead modern readers to underestimate its sophistication.
Conclusion antony considered father of monasticism athanasius influenced christian biography many have followed in antony s. Though written perhaps as late as 390, this document is of great weight as evidence in the case see kroger in theol. He brought his formidable theological talents and his partisan political biases to this work, using it as propaganda against arian and melitian opponents. Apr 28, 2020 among athanasiuss other important works are the letters to sarapion on the divinity of the holy spirit and the life of st. The life changing life of antony christian history. Athanasius the classic, fascinating and almost fabulous life of st.
Athanasius was not only a skilled literary artist, but also a gifted theologian and a prominent politician on the international scene. It was translated to latin and coptic immediately after. His life in the tombs, and combats with demons there. Antony, whose author is no less a man than the great st. Pdf life of antony by saint athanasius michael saad. St athanasius and the greek life of antony the journal. When he was about 18 years old, and having inherited a large fortune, he heard a sermon about jesus challenging the rich young ruler to go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasures in heaven.
As the bishop of alexandria, spiritual master and theologian, he led the church in its battle against the arian heresy. The life changing life of antony athanasiuss biography was not only a bestseller in its day, but a book that made people stop and thinkand act. The life of saint antony download ebook pdf, epub, tuebl, mobi. Athanasius used it to subtly defend his beliefs while chronicling the life of this. Saint antony completed 85 years of the ascetic and monastic life. The life of pachomius, which as above mentioned has details of antonys life independent of the vita, also mentions the latter c. This book was originally written in greek around 360 ad by the patriarch of alexandria, st athanasius, and was then translated in latin by st evagrius of antioch. Pdf life of antony as narrative of athanasian theology amanda. Anthonys childhood, the book follows him into the desert and traces his battles with himself and with the forces of darkness. Athanasius was a major figure of 4thcentury christendom. Athanasius 1 the bishop to the brethren in foreign parts. The book was popular in its own era the mid fourth century, where it was an important contributing factor to the rise of the monastic ideal in both western and eastern christianity, and in the middle ages. St athanasius the great, life of st anthony the great full.
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