Commemorates on: January 17
Saint Anthony, the Father of monks, was born in Egypt in 251 Distributing to the poor all he had, and fleeing from all the turmoil of the world, he departed to the desert and remained there for about twenty years. Afterwards, because of the press of the faithful, who deprived him of his solitude, lie was enlightened by God to journey with certain Bedouins, until he came to a mountain in the desert near the Red Sea, where he passed the remaining part of his life. So Passing his life, and becoming an example of virtue and a rule for monastics, he reposed on January 17 in the Year 356, having lived altogether some 105 years. When the Christians were being persecuted and put to death under Maximinus in 312, he hastened to their aid and consolation, When the Church was troubled by the Arians, he went with zeal to Alexandria in 335 and struggled against them in behalf of Orthodoxy. During this time he also turned many unbelievers to Christ.