theology and religion

Saint Anthony was reared by wealthy parents after being born in Coma in 251 AD. When his parents passed away when he was twenty years old, he was left with a sibling to look for and a sizable inheritance. When Saint Anthony read a verse about aiding the needy and totally serving God, he made the decision that he wanted to lead a religious life. It was then that he sold all his inheritance and gave off all he earned to the poor and placed his sister in a safe convent and pursued his desire to become religious by living in the desert and helping people with the wisdom he had.

Saint Anthony in his early age gave up his great inheritance when he heard the gospel that talked about perfection and sharing. He sold his inheritance and gave up the money to those in need and the poor just as the word had commanded. He also followed the word when he left to live in the desert, fasting regularly, eating salt and bread as well as drinking only water. He practiced self-sacrifice of the luxury he had for the glory of the gospel he believed in.

Saint Anthony of the desert was considered as the first who went to the wilderness about 270 AD and lived there for a while surviving the harsh environmental and supernatural temptations of the Eastern desert in Egypt. After his stay in the desert where he had locked himself up in a tomb, he came out looking strong and healthy, unlike the human expectations. Saint Anthony came out in triumph after all his trials.

The saint always encouraged his disciples to be vigil and more steadfast especially during their struggle with the devil such as when he suffered several diabolical attacks but still emerged strong. He encouraged them to keep fasting be humble, loving and compassionate toward each other. He also commended them for their voluntary states of poverty and encouraged them to trust more in God. His words truly kept his followers going and increased their love and dedication to God while their zeal to worship God continued to grow.

As the father of monasticism, Saint Anthony organized and planned fully a worship community from many of his disciples and attracted many other communities in Egypt that led to the spread of Athanasius hagiography among the Greek and Romans who continued his legacy. He also formed the community at Fayum and another one at Pispir that made him famous in Egypt and beyond.

The Saint together with his disciples engaged in many other works including manual work that included cultivating the garden and they also wove rush mats while he spoke to his disciples who always wanted words of wisdom and those who sought spiritual disposition from him, he talked to them. At other times. Anthony went personally to the monastery deep in the desert to talk to the people but usually returned to his normal place at the end of the day. He also wove palm leaves that helped him overcome boredom during his times.

Living in solitude for so many years, Saint Anthony acquired a purified soul such that he was stronger at heart and wiser. He knew how to handle pain, temptations and he overcame pride such that the praises and respect that he gained from his society did not make him too proud because he knew who was greater in him.

Saint Anthony also encouraged the monks not to be weary in what they were doing and went on to encourage them to be courageous during trials. He also told them to wake up every morning like they will not leave until the evening and sleep as they will never wake up. His teachings were meant to help them not to fall into sin and temptations and help the people not to be overpowered and become slaves of ungodly desires and anger. Saint Anthony also was devoted to organize and instruct a body of monks that had emerged around him. Through him, the monks lived by his example and were encouraged to grow their faith in the religion just like the Saint. They became stronger and united in faith.

As a founder of Christian monastery where a monastery was built around the area of the desert where he was living with his name on in to honor God through his works and dedication that he had shown. He spent his last years in the place where he continued to dedicate his life to his religion. He also talked to people who visited him in need of his advice, miracles encouragements and whatever help he could offer. He also visited the Christian martyrs who were to be persecuted to encourage them about twice in Alexandria. He was also not afraid to preach against the Arians.

The doctrine of the saint is therefore clearly considered as impeachable and pure while his character was defined as commanding and full of confidence. He was also very cheerful and lively, and his words gave hope to the hopeless as well as encouraging to the lowly. Meeting his death at the age of a hundred and five years, Saint Anthony had greatly influenced and made an impact on many people about religion and the life lessons that he gave to the people around him and had helped to spread religion to other areas that were around him. Many other people like him had emerged who would continue to do what he had started and help to spread the religion far and wide.

The monasticism that was started and developed by the influence of Saint Anthony was popularized from Lycopolis all through to the Mediterranean Sea. He remains to be the father of monasticism as well as the technical religious way of life during his time that also exists today that was developed by bringing together a group of monks to form a small community sharing the religion.

Conclusion

Most of the works of Saint Anthony involved acts of piety, the self-sacrifice of luxuries and service to God. His life was fully devoted and dedicated to religious practices. He did not marry, practiced asceticism and practiced self-denial and was fully devoted to the works of religion to serve God and help the people around him. Living in solitude with no interaction with people for about twenty years was a great opportunity for him to discover more about religion, more about who he was and become wiser. After the establishment of monasticism by Saint Anthony, it became a norm that was spread all through to the Mediterranean.













Bibliography

Canning, Susan Marie, Patrick Florizoone, Kimberly Nichols, and Nancy Ireson. James Ensor: The Temptation of Saint Anthony. Yale University Press, 2014.

Görg, Peter H. The Desert Fathers: Anthony and the Beginnings of Monasticism. Ignatius Press, 2011.

Ahmed, Syed Jamil. "Mimicry and Counter-Discourse on the Palimpsest of Nagori: The Play of Saint Anthony and His Double, Sādhu Āntoni." Asian Theatre Journal 27, no. 1 (2010): 40-75.

Flaubert, Gustave. The Temptation of Saint Anthony. Modern Library Classics Paper, 2001.