It was originally published with a byline that reads only translated and edited by a religious of c. You have entered upon a noble rivalry with the monks of egypt by your determination either to equal or surpass them in your training in the way of virtue. Athanasius of alexandria the life and conversation of our holy father, antony. How antony took up his abode in a ruined fort across the nile, and how. Athanasius provided a strong hagiographical account of the life of st. Athanasius as theologian of sanctification life of antony.
Athanasius, archbishop of alexandria, in controversy with the arians, select treatises of s. This led to augustines final struggles in the garden in milan and his eventual conversion. Augustine would become the greatest theologian in the church for the next 1,000 years. Athanasius responded that the fathers begetting of the son, or uttering of the word, was an eternal relationship between them, not an event that took place within time.
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. For the rest of his life, he fought demons, performed miracles, becoming a legend in his own long lifetime. Antony, which has been read within christian and historical contexts for centuries. His life in the tombs, and combats with demons there. Athanasius was born in ad 298 in egypt and became the bishop of alexandria on june 8, 328 at the age of 30.
The nonmention of athanasius as the author is an argumentum ex silentio of the most precarious kind. Anthony 2556ce lived in egypt, and became one of the fathers of christian desert monasticism. 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. 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. There is also a fair bit of disagreement on the actual authorship of the life of antony, presented in bernadette mcnaryzak in the letters of asceticism in fourth century egypt and more notably s. Conclusion antony considered father of monasticism athanasius influenced christian biography many have followed in antony s. Athanasius 1 the bishop to the brethren in foreign parts. How antony remained hale until his death, and how the fame of him filled all the world. Albert haases paraphrase of this important work gives us access to a masterwork of spiritual formation, that we too might know god as richly as athanasius did. The book is filled with fantastic tales of antony s encounters with the devil, yet athanasius wrote, do not be incredulous about what you hear of him consider, rather that from them only a few. The life of antony s folktale surface should not lead modern readers to underestimate its sophistication. Though written perhaps as late as 390, this document is of great weight as evidence in the case. Saint antony completed 85 years of the ascetic and monastic life. As athanasius told his readers at the beginning of his life of antony, i feel that, once you have heard the story, you will not merely admire the man but will wish to emulate his.
Anthony of egypt, an important figure in the early history of monasticism, written by a man who acted as his helper in anthonys old age. Howeve, there are many differences, and even contradictory facts, displayed in both works. Augustine, the life of antony provided the model saints life and constitutes, in the words of patristics scholar johannes quasten, the most important document of early monasticism. Pdf a comparison between the spiritual portrait of st. Athanasius was a major figure of 4thcentury christendom. The life and conversation of our holy father, antony. 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.
He was exiled five times for defending biblical church doctrines. As bishop of alexandria, spiritual master and theologian, he led the church in its battle against the arian heresy. Antony 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. The life and the apophthegmata share some similarities regarding the bibliography of st. The life of antony and the letter to marcellinus by athanasius, saint. Antony written between 356 and 362 the life and conversation of our holy father, antony. Athanasius knew the desert hermit monk personally and through his writing made the pattern of antonys life the ideal in the east. It was translated to latin and coptic immediately after. 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. Particularly in its latin version it became one of best known works of literature in the christian world right through until the end of the middle ages and its influence was an important cause of the. Athanasius in controversy with the arians, life of st. Life of antony 1 the life of antony by athanasius of alexandria preface the life and conversation of our holy father, antony, written and sent to the monks in foreign parts by our father among the saints, athanasius, bishop of alexandria.
Antony, select library of the nicene and postnicene fathers, second series, volume iv, under the editorial of p hilip schaff and henry wace. Athanasius against the arians, select treatises of s. The life of antony also had an impact on many in the west. Athanasius, archbishop of alexandria, the orations of s. Athanasius was not only a skilled literary artist, but also a gifted theologian and a prominent politician on the international scene. The life of antony, is a work about kenosis of a rich youngster, st. Written at the request of the desert monks of egypt to provide an ideal pattern of the ascetical life, it immediately became astonishingly popular. Antony, which was soon translated into latin and did much to spread the ascetic ideal in east and west. 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. 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. Athanasius view of christian growth in life of antony 356 362 ad can.
Athanasius purpose in writing antonys life had gained its greatest success. Athanasius is often shown as a bishop arguing with a pagan, a bishop holding an open book or a bishop standing over a defeated heretic. The life and conversation of our holy father, antony, written and sent to the monks in foreign parts by our father among the saints, athanasius, bishop of alexandria. 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. Amen, amen i say to you, before abraham was made, i am. St athanasius, and was then translated in latin by st evagrius of antioch. This document has been generated from xsl extensible stylesheet language source with renderx xep formatter, version 3. The third of these motherrules, that of st augustine is in between, combining concrete regulations. He is distinguished from other saints named anthony such as anthony of padua, by various epithets of his own.
Prologue you have entered upon a noble rivalry with the monks of egypt by your. Athanasius saint, patriarch of alexandria open library. 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. Seeing the kind of life he lived, the villagers and all the good men he knew called him the friend of god, and they loved him as both son and brother. 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. The life of antony a biography of saint anthony the great was athanasius most widely read work. The vita antonini contains a hagiographic narrative and few doctrinal debates. Athanasius 983 the bishop to the brethren in foreign parts. Only fragments remain of sermons and biblical commentaries.
As the bishop of alexandria, spiritual master and theologian, he led the church in its battle against the arian heresy. 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. The people of egypt viewed him as their bishop until he died on may 2, 373 at the age of 75. St athanasius the great, life of st anthony the great full. Athanasius, one of the most influential church fathers in history, records in his life of antony of egypt the story of another extremely influential figure of early christianity. I cant believe the latter is referred to in the further reading and. More important in the latter respect is the historia acephala probably earlier than 390 printed in this volume, pp. Life of st antony by st athanasius the life and conversation of our holy father, antony. A history of monastic spirituality stanbrook abbey. But when athanasius, who had been one of those who told marcella about antony, put antony s story down in writing, antony s influence became greater still. People will lie to get into a good school or to make a lot of money. Athanasius of alexandria is revered today as one of the most important voices in the early christian church, but during his lifetime his courageous stand against heresy had harsh repercussions.
Every day you hear about how important money is, how important getting ahead is. For by this time there are monasteries among you, and the name of monk receives public recognition. Though written perhaps as late as 390, this document is of great weight as evidence in the case see kroger in theol. The life of saint antony saint athanasius patriarch of. Athanasius used it to subtly defend his beliefs while chronicling the life of this religious hermit. Athanasius, also called saint athanasius of alexandria or saint athanasius the apostolic, born c. He brought his formidable theological talents and his partisan political biases to this work, using it as propaganda against arian and melitian opponents. 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. Life of anthony internet history sourcebooks project. If that claim were undisputed, no apology would be needed. Antony, but athanasius life of the fabled hermit written shortly after antonys death in 365 ad, 10 years before the goths. He is a patron saint of theologians, and faithful orthodox and roman catholic christians and hailed to this day as a great defender of the faith. An encomium on saint anthony by john of schmun a letter to the disciples of antony by serapion of thmuisinstrumental in the conversion of many, including st.
Athanasius, the bishop to the brethren in foreign parts. The life of saint antony saint athanasius patriarch of alexandria full view 1950. 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. With reason, therefore, all men will approve this determination, and in. Anthony became the paradigm for the genre of christian hagiography adhered to by subsequent authors. Thus began catholic christianitys fight against the heresy of arianism. 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. The same time lived antony the monk in the deserts of.
As bishop of alexandria, spiritual master and theologian, he led the church in its battle against the arain heresy. Athanasius was a major figure of 14thcentury christendom. Athanasius the bishop to the brethren in foreign parts. Athanasius was a major figure in 4thcentury christendom.
Several briefer theological treatises are preserved, however, and a number of letters, mainly administrative. In 357 ad, st athanasius wrote life of antony in greek for the world to read. The life changing life of antony athanasius s biography was not only a bestseller in its day, but a book that made people stop and thinkand act. In the next paragraph athanasius depicts a shift in anthonys life from being a solitary. This document has been generated from xsl extensible stylesheet language source with. This account, the life and ways of our holy father antony is by st athanasius, the bishop of alexandria, who lived in egypt at the same time, and whom we will meet again as a key figure in the dispute over the deity of christ. Pdf life of antony by saint athanasius michael saad. Sister penelope lawson, of the anglican community of st. The life of pachomius, which as above mentioned has details of antonys life independent of the vita, also mentions the latter c. Librivox recording of the life of anthony by athanasius of alexandria.
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. Antony of egypt who became the father of all christian monks, in east and west. Athanasius is known for his theological insight, his stubborn struggle against arianism, and this biography, which spread the ideas of egyptian monasticism around the world and inspired many men and women to live the monastic life. Athanasius fought consistently against arianism all his life. As most of our resources of saint antony lie in athanasius biography of him. The life changing life of antony christian history. Life of antony is the main resource used by most scholars thereafter, we. Mar 30, 2006 athanasius wrote the book to hold up antony before us as an example of a holy life. Anthonys childhood, the book follows him into the desert and traces his battles with himself and with the forces of darkness.
The life of pachomius, which as above mentioned has details of antony s life independent of the vita, also mentions the latter c. Athanasius as theologian of sanctification life of antony vita antonii c. He was the chief defender of christian orthodoxy in the 4thcentury battle against arianism, the heresy that the son of god was a creature of like, but not. The earliest life is the panegyric of gregory of nazianzus or. Alexandria ancient antony antony s apol apophthegmata patrum apostle appear arians ascetic asceticism asked athanasius augustine biography bishop bishop serapion blessed body brethren butler called christ christian christian. You have entered upon a noble rivalry with the monks of. After reading about antony you see how very sad that is. Athanasius was born to a christian family in the city of alexandria or possibly the nearby nile delta town of damanhur sometime between the years 293 and 298. He brought monasticism out of isolation in egypt with his book, the life of antony. Athanasius the life of antony is one of the foremost classics of christian asceticism. About the year 365, athanasius, at the request of some monkswestern, as it is supposeddrew up a life of st. Publication date 20080429 usage public domain topics audiobook religion, history, biography.
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