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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. Athanasius the bishop to the brethren
in foreign parts.
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. For by this time there are monasteries among you, and
the name of monk receives public recognition. With reason, therefore,
all men will approve this determination, and in answer to your prayers
God will give its fulfilment.
Now since you asked me to give you an account of the blessed Antony's
way of life, and are wishful to learn how he began the discipline, who
and what manner of man he was previous to this, how he closed his life,
and whether the things told of him are true, that you also may bring
yourselves to imitate him, I very readily accepted your behest, for to
me also the bare recollection of Antony is a great accession of help.
And I know that you, when you have heard, apart from your admiration of
the man, will be wishful to emulate his determination; seeing that for
monks the life of Antony is a sufficient pattern of discipline.
Wherefore do not refuse credence to what you have heard from those who
brought tidings of him; but think rather that they have told you only a
few things, for at all events they scarcely can have given
circumstances of so great import in any detail.
And because I at your request have called to mind a few circumstances
about him, and shall send as much as I can tell in a letter, do not
neglect to question those who sail from here: for possibly when all
have told their tale, the account will hardly be in proportion to his
merits.
On account of this I was desirous, when I received your letter, to send
for certain of the monks, those especially who were wont to be more
frequently with him, that if I could learn any fresh details I might
send them to you. But since the season for sailing was coming to an end
and the letter-carrier urgent, I hastened to write to your piety what I
myself know, having seen him many times, and what I was able to learn
from him, for I was his attendant for a long time, and poured water on
his hands ; in all points being mindful of the truth, that no one
should disbelieve through hearing too much, nor on the other hand by
hearing too little should despise the man.
Preface
Part I: Antony's Youth
and First Struggles with Demons
Part II: He Dwells
Among the Tombs
Part III: He Goes to
the Desert
Part IV: His Sermon to
the Young Men
Part V: His Life in
the Desert
Part VI: He Goes to
the Inner Desert
Part VII: Advice and
Assistance for Visitors
Part VIII: His
Discourses Against Schismatics, Arians, and Pagans
Part IX: His Growing
Fame
Part X: His Death
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