Saint Anthony of the Desert
Stored in Cargo: Saint Anthony of the Desert
| Saint Anthony of the Desert | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | January 17 |
| Profession | Monk, hermit, founder of desert monasticism |
| Rel. Affiliation | Early Christian monastic (no formal order; later considered Benedictine precursor) |
| Patronage | Monks, hermits, gravediggers, butchers, epileptics, skin diseases, those suffering demonic temptation |
| Attributes | Old monk with staff, bell (to ward off demons), pig (legendary companion), flames (temptations) |
| Birthplace | Coma/Qumana, near Heracleopolis Magna, Middle Egypt |
| Death Place | Mount Qolzum (Mountain of Saint Anthony), near the Red Sea, Egypt |
| Cause of Death | Natural causes (old age) |
| Primary Shrine | Monastery of Saint Anthony, Mount Qolzum, Egypt |
Saint Anthony of the Desert (also known as Anthony the Great, Anthony of Egypt, or Anthony the Anchorite), the Father of Christian Monasticism, was an Egyptian hermit and founder of the desert monastic tradition. According to the primary and near-contemporary source—the *Life of Anthony* written by Saint Athanasius of Alexandria between 356 and 362 AD (shortly after Anthony’s death)—he was born around 251 AD in Coma (Qumana), a village in Middle Egypt near Heracleopolis Magna (modern-day Ihnasya), to wealthy Christian parents.
Athanasius’s *Vita Antonii* (the earliest and most authoritative biography) states that Anthony was raised in a devout Christian household and inherited considerable wealth after his parents’ death when he was about 18–20 years old. Around 270–271 AD, inspired by the Gospel command “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor… and come, follow me” (Matthew 19:21), he sold his possessions, gave the proceeds to the poor (keeping a small portion for his younger sister), and began a life of asceticism.
Historical evidence from Athanasius (corroborated by other 4th-century writers such as Jerome and Augustine) shows that Anthony first lived as a hermit near his village, then withdrew farther into the desert (c. 285 AD) to the mountain of Pherome (near the Red Sea), and later (c. 305–356 AD) to an inner mountain (now known as Mount Qolzum or the Mountain of Saint Anthony) where he spent the last 50 years of his life in greater solitude. He attracted disciples, forming the first organized groups of hermits (the beginnings of cenobitic and eremitic monasticism), though he himself remained a hermit. He emerged periodically to counsel bishops, refute Arianism, and support the Church during the persecutions and theological controversies of the time.
Athanasius records that Anthony died on January 17, 356 AD, at age 105, after a brief illness, having foretold his death to his disciples. He was buried secretly in his mountain cell to prevent relic veneration, though his tomb was later rediscovered (according to tradition in the 6th century).
His cult spread rapidly after Athanasius’s *Life* circulated widely (translated into Latin by Evagrius of Antioch c. 370 and influencing Augustine’s conversion). Anthony was never formally canonized (pre-congregation saint), but his veneration was universal by the 4th century. As of March 13, 2026, his feast is celebrated on January 17 in the General Roman Calendar, the Coptic Orthodox Church (Tobi 22), and most Eastern calendars.
He is the patron saint of monks, hermits, gravediggers, butchers, epileptics, skin diseases, and those suffering from demonic oppression or temptation (popular devotion). This reflects established Catholic and Eastern Christian tradition, with the *Life of Anthony* by Athanasius as the primary historical source. Later legendary details (e.g., battles with demons in vivid visions) are hagiographic elaborations, though Athanasius himself presents them as factual.
Biography
Birth
According to Saint Athanasius’s *Life of Anthony* (written c. 356–362), Saint Anthony of the Desert was born around 251 AD in Coma (Qumana), a village in Middle Egypt near Heracleopolis Magna.
Evidence suggests his parents were wealthy Christians who raised him in the faith.
Early Life
After his parents’ death (c. 270–271), Anthony, then about 18–20, sold his possessions following Matthew 19:21, gave the proceeds to the poor (keeping a portion for his sister), and began a life of asceticism near his village.
Historical accounts from Athanasius note his early struggles with temptation and his progressive withdrawal into solitude.
Occupation
Anthony lived as a hermit, first near his village, then in the desert mountains, practicing prayer, fasting, and manual labor.
He attracted disciples, forming loose communities of hermits.
Vocation
Anthony’s vocation was eremitic monasticism—solitude, prayer, and spiritual combat against demons—laying the foundation for Christian monastic life.
Athanasius presents him as a model of holiness and a defender of orthodoxy against Arianism.
Death
Saint Anthony of the Desert met his end on January 17, 356 AD, at his mountain cell near the Red Sea at age 105. He died peacefully, having foretold his death to disciples.
Significant events
- Born c. 251 in Coma, Egypt.
- Parents’ death and renunciation of wealth (c. 270–271).
- Withdrawal to the desert (c. 285).
- Founded loose hermit communities (late 3rd century).
- Supported Athanasius during Arian controversy (c. 330s).
- Died January 17, 356.
- *Life of Anthony* written by Athanasius (c. 356–362).
- Veneration universal by the 4th century.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Coma/Qumana, near Heracleopolis Magna, Middle Egypt
Death location: Mount Qolzum (Mountain of Saint Anthony), near the Red Sea, Egypt
Notable location: Final hermitage and place of death (c. 305–356) (Mount Qolzum (Mountain of Saint Anthony), Egypt)
Notable location: Early desert withdrawal and formation of disciples (c. 285–305) (Pherome (outer mountain), near the Nile, Egypt)
Notable location: Birthplace and early life (Coma (Qumana), Middle Egypt)
Notable location:
Notable location:
Dynamic content
Parishes
No parishes dedicated to Saint Anthony of the Desert have been added to the database yet.
Media
| Media | Length | AuthorCreator |
|---|---|---|
| Saint Anthony of the Desert | Under 5 minutes | Lives of the Saints |
Shrines
No results
No shrines where this saint is the primary saint.
List of shrines
Monastery of Saint Anthony, Mount Qolzum, Egypt
- The ancient monastery built around the site of Anthony’s final hermitage. One of the oldest continuously inhabited Christian monasteries in the world, it is designated as a sacred place for pilgrimage, Masses, and devotion, qualifying under Canon 1230.
- Pilgrimage details: Near the Red Sea; Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate (with Catholic presence).
- Fact: Traditional site of his death and long-term residence (c. 305–356).
Canonization
Pre-congregation canonization; venerated universally from the 4th century after Athanasius’s *Life*.
Miracles
According to Athanasius’s *Vita Antonii*, Anthony performed healings, exorcisms, and received visions. No authenticated miracles are required or documented for his veneration (pre-congregation saint).
Patronage
Saint Anthony of the Desert is the patron saint of monks, hermits, gravediggers, butchers, epileptics, skin diseases, and those suffering demonic temptation.
Feast day
January 17
Veneration
Saint Anthony of the Desert is venerated through his feast on January 17, pilgrimages to the Monastery of Saint Anthony in Egypt, and devotion to his example of radical discipleship and spiritual combat. His relics are preserved at the monastery.
He has been depicted in art as an old hermit with a staff, bell, pig (legendary companion), or flames (temptations).
Books
Written about the saint
- Saint Athanasius, *Life of Anthony* (c. 356–362) – the primary source.
- Entries in Butler’s Lives of the Saints (January 17).
- Catholic Encyclopedia (1913 entry on St. Anthony).
Written by the saint
None known (Athanasius’s work incorporates his teachings and letters).