Saint Abba Antonius
Stored in Cargo: Saint Abba Antonius
| Saint Abba Antonius | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | January 17 |
| Patronage | skin diseases; basket makers; butchers; grave diggers; pigs |
| Attributes | bell; book; pig; tau cross; staff |
| Birthplace | Heracleopolis Magna, Egypt |
| Death Place | Mount Colzim, Egypt |
| Cause of Death | natural causes |
| Primary Shrine | Monastery of Saint Anthony, Egypt |
| Liturgical Class | Optional Memorial |
| Historic Class | III class |
Saint Anthony the Great, also known as Anthony of Egypt or Abba Antonius, was an early Christian monk and hermit who is recognized as the founder of organized Christian monasticism. Born in Egypt in the third century, he is venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church for his ascetic life in the desert and his spiritual guidance to numerous disciples. His example influenced the development of monastic traditions across the Christian world.
Hagiographic tradition holds that Anthony distributed his inheritance and withdrew to the desert around age twenty to pursue a life of prayer and solitude. He is credited with inspiring the growth of monastic communities and is often invoked against temptations and spiritual trials. Evidence from primary sources such as the *Life of Anthony* by Athanasius of Alexandria confirms his historical role in early Egyptian Christianity.
Biography
Birth
This cannot be confirmed through primary historical records.
Early Life
This cannot be confirmed through primary historical records.
Occupation
This cannot be confirmed through primary historical records.
Vocation
This cannot be confirmed through primary historical records.
Death
This cannot be confirmed through primary historical records.
NAME met their end peacefully in old age.
Significant events
- Withdrew to the desert near the Nile around 270 AD.
- Attracted disciples who formed early monastic communities.
- Advised Emperor Constantine and his sons according to hagiographic accounts.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: None
Death location: None
Notable location:
Notable location:
Notable location:
Notable location:
Notable location:
Parishes
No parishes dedicated to Saint Anthony the Great have been added to the database yet.
Media
No media found for this saint.
Shrines
No results
No shrines where this saint is the primary saint.
Monastery of Saint Anthony
- Description: Founded near the site of Anthony's hermitage in the Eastern Desert of Egypt, this monastery has been a center of Coptic monasticism since the fourth century and serves as a pilgrimage destination under Canon 1230 designation by local ecclesiastical authority.
- Pilgrimage details: Located in the Red Sea Governorate, Egypt; annual feast on January 17; associated with the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Red Sea.
- Facts: "Anthony lived and died at this location."
Canonization
Servant of God
The process to recognize NAME as a Servant of God began prior to the formal Congregation for the Causes of Saints; pre-congregation recognition applies.
Venerable
Declared Venerable prior to the modern process; pre-congregation recognition applies.
Beatification
Beatified prior to the modern process; pre-congregation recognition applies.
Canonization
Canonized prior to the modern process; pre-congregation recognition applies.
Miracles
No miracles have been authenticated under the modern canonical process.
Miracle for beatification
This cannot be confirmed.
Miracle for canonization
This cannot be confirmed.
Other notable miracles
- Hagiographic accounts describe Anthony's victory over demonic temptations in the desert.
Patronage
Saint Anthony the Great is the patron saint of skin diseases; basket makers; butchers; grave diggers; pigs.
Feast day
January 17
Veneration
Saint Anthony the Great is venerated through prayers, novenas, and pilgrimages to desert monasteries. Relics are kept in the Monastery of Saint Anthony, Egypt.
Saint Anthony the Great has been depicted in numerous artworks, including paintings by Bosch and Grünewald. Literature and media often portray Saint Anthony the Great in accounts of desert asceticism.
Prayers
There are prayers authored by this saint in prayers list yet. There are no prayers asking for this saint's intercession in prayers list yet.
Books
Written about the saint
Written by the saint
- No verified writings by the saint survive.
External links
References
- Athanasius of Alexandria, *Life of Anthony* (primary hagiographic source).