St. Anthony
(c. 251-356)
Egyptian from Coma, who gave away everything he owned to the poor at the
age of 20 and started a life as a hermit.
St. Anthony was the first person we know of to have established how religious
life should be in Christianity. He founded Christian communities of hermits
in Fayum and Pispir and became very famous both in his native country and
abroad. People of all social classes came to him for advise.
One of his closest personal friends was St.
Athanasius, who eventually became his biographer.
At the age of 90 St. Anthony held a sermon where he condemned the so called
Arians as heretics. He died in one of his communities on Mt. Kolzion.
In art he is depicted with a pig (evil) and a T-shaped cross, sometimes
also with a torch.
Orthodox nameday: 17/1
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