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. Anthony became the paradigm for the genre of christian hagiography adhered to by subsequent authors. The life of antonys folktale surface should not lead modern readers to underestimate its sophistication. 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. Life of st antony by st athanasius the life and conversation of our holy father, antony. In 357 ad, st athanasius wrote life of antony in greek for the world to read. 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. As the bishop of alexandria, spiritual master and theologian, he led the church in its battle against the arian heresy. As bishop of alexandria, spiritual master and theologian, he led the church in its battle against the arain heresy. Athanasius was not only a skilled literary artist, but also a gifted theologian and a prominent politician on the international scene. 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.
Though written perhaps as late as 390, this document is of great weight as evidence in the case see kroger in theol. Antony, generally considered the father of christian monasticism, was born circa 250 a. Life of anthony internet history sourcebooks project. 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. 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. Jun 25, 2019 athanasius used it to subtly defend his beliefs while chronicling the life of this religious hermit. He goes to the desert and overcomes temptations on the way. Apology to the emperor apologia ad constantium, atkinsons. 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. Conclusion antony considered father of monasticism athanasius influenced christian biography many have followed in antony s. Pdf life of antony as narrative of athanasian theology.
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. The life and conversation of our holy father, antony. How antony remained hale until his death, and how the fame of him filled all the world. Antony, which has been read within christian and historical contexts for centuries. Only fragments remain of sermons and biblical commentaries. You have entered upon a noble rivalry with the monks of. It is specially good at seeing certain truths and specially liable to make certain mistakes. The life of saint antony saint athanasius patriarch of. The method of athanasius in the life of antony through arrangement of material, developed themes, and extended dialogues exposes the authors theological. Anthonys childhood, the book follows him into the desert and traces his battles with himself and with the forces of darkness. Athanasius as theologian of sanctification life of antony. Athanasius as theologian of sanctification life of antony vita antonii c. Publication date 20080429 usage public domain topics audiobook religion, history, biography.
About the year 365, athanasius, at the request of some monkswestern, as it is supposeddrew up a life of st. Jul 28, 2016 in the end, athanasius the life of st. His life in the tombs, and combats with demons there. Athanasius, holy cross greek orthodox seminary, fall 2017 last modified. 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. The life of antony a biography of saint anthony the great was athanasius most widely read work. The life of pachomius, which as above mentioned has details of antonys life independent of the vita, also mentions the latter c. St athanasius and the greek life of antony, the journal of theological studies, volume 39, issue 2, 1 october 1988, pages 504509.
Ellershaw, life of antony, in select writings and letters of athanasius, bishop of alexandria, anpnf new york, 1892, 195221. Antony, whose author is no less a man than the great st. Athanasius 1 the bishop to the brethren in foreign parts. Even if this account is small compared with his merit, still from this reflect how great antony, the man of god, was. Antony, which was soon translated into latin and did much to spread the ascetic ideal in east and west. The life of saint antony, issue 10 saint athanasius patriarch of alexandria, saint anthony of egypt, athanasius, walter j. Pdf life of antony as narrative of athanasian theology amanda. St athanasius the great, life of st anthony the great full. Athanasius the life of antony is one of the foremost classics of christian asceticism. Another of anasthasius works that had longlasting impact was his life of antony, written between 356362 a. 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. 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. It was translated to latin and coptic immediately after.
Several briefer theological treatises are preserved, however, and a number of letters, mainly administrative. This document has been generated from xsl extensible stylesheet language source with renderx xep formatter, version 3. He brought his formidable theological talents and his partisan political biases to this work, using it as propaganda against arian and melitian opponents. This is the end of antonys life in the body and the above was the beginning of the discipline.
Though written perhaps as late as 390, this document is of great weight as evidence in the case see kruger in theol. Saint antony completed 85 years of the ascetic and monastic life. 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. Athanasius the classic, fascinating and almost fabulous life of st. 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 2556ce lived in egypt, and became one of the fathers of christian desert monasticism. Pdf life of antony by saint athanasius michael saad. 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. St athanasius and the greek life of antony the journal. The present volume contains the most important document of early monasticism, the life of st. Athanasius used it to subtly defend his beliefs while chronicling the life of this. Athanasius is the earliest source for the life of st. Life of antony as narrative of athanasian theology. Anthony of the desert, known as the father of monasticism. This document has been generated from xsl extensible stylesheet language source with. Coptic life of antony, and encomium on saint antony by john of shmun. Circular to bishops of egypt and libya ad episcopos aegypti, atkinsons translation, notes of newman, revised by rev. Oct 04, 2007 the influential egyptian ascetic antony, made famous by athanasius in his life of antony, served also as the subject of two additional early egyptian narrative texts. The life changing life of antony christian history.
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. 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. Antonys answers to a philosopher, and to didymus, are given by socrates iv. Antony of the desert, and the father of monasticism, both east. Athanasius was a major figure of 14thcentury christendom. The same time lived antony the monk in the deserts of. The life of antony and the letter to marcellinus, classics of western spirituality new york. Athanasius was a major figure of 4thcentury christendom. This biography set the standard for lives of saints.
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