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| Antony
was born in Egypt around the year 251 of Christian parents who were
peasants. After their death, Antony heard Christ’s words about the
rich young man and he gave his worldly goods to the poor and in 285
went into the desert to live a life of prayer . Many Christians
consulted him and many settled near him as his disciples. In 305
Antony became their spiritual father. He supported Christians under
persecution in the reign of Diocletian and St Athanasius against the
Arians. His group of disciples are regarded as the first Christian
religious community. Antony died at a great age. Bishop Athanasius wrote his life and the book became a powerful factor in spreading the ideals of monasticism throughout the world. The “Sayings of the Desert Fathers,” beginning with Antony, have become a treasury of spiritual education. They embody the tradition of a living wisdom that can be given to a seeker, not just as an explanation or a consolation, but as a firm directive which liberates and illuminates, without debate, rather like the “word in season” of which Isaiah 50:4 speaks. Among other things, these Sayings help to recognise and surmount the state of Accidie, or listlessness and distaste for life stemming from no clear reason. They teach Hesychia, or inner tranquility, the Itmi’nan of the Qur’an, the possession of inner peace, or guarding the mind by inner prayer and remembrance of God. He added: “Without temptations, no one can be saved.” COLLECT FOR ST ANTHONY OF EGYPT Most gracious God, who called your servant Anthony to sell all that he had and to serve you in the solitude of the desert: by his example may we learn to deny ourselves and to love you before all things; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen |