Tag: Antony
Good Company?
Certain brethren, being minded to go from Scete to the abbot Antony, went aboard a ship that they might go to him: and they found in that same ship an old man who likewise was minded to go to Antony. But the brethren did not know him. And as they sat in the ship they… Read More ›
What should I do to please God?
A brother had a question for Abba Antony: “What should I do to please God?” “Listen carefully to what I am telling you,” said the old man.”Always keep God before your eyes, and whatever you are doing, look in the divine Scriptures for your examples, and wherever you are living, don’t be in too much… Read More ›
The Judgements of God
Abba Antony, failing to understand the judgments of God, asked, “Lord, why is it that some die young, and others live to a ripe old age, and why are some incompetent while others abound in all manner of skills, and why are some people unjustly rich while others live in the extremes of poverty?” And… Read More ›
The Meaning of Scripture
Some old men once came to Abba Antony, among them Abba Joseph. Wishing to test them Abba Antony quoted some texts of holy Scripture and began to ask the younger among them what they meant. And each one had something to say. But he replied to them all, “You’re not quite there yet.” Then he… Read More ›
Choosing the Proper Course of Action
It so happened that a certain brother in the coenobium committed a crime, and when he was condemned by the brothers he fled to Abba Antony. Some brothers who wanted to reform him went after him, and began to make out a case against him because of his crime, even though he denied having done… Read More ›
Antony and Dryness of Spirit
When Abba Antony was living in the desert, he was greatly troubled by dryness of spirit. Tied in knots by the multiplicity of his thoughts he cried out to God. “Lord, I earnestly desire to be on the path of salvation but my chaotic thoughts don’t allow me. What shall I do in this tribulation,… Read More ›
Antony and the Leather Worker
Once when blessed Antony was praying in his cell he heard a voice saying, “Antony you are not yet equal to the leather worker in Alexandria.” When he heard this, the old man got up next morning and taking his staff hastened off to Alexandria where he sought out the leather worker, who was absolutely… Read More ›
What Mighty Opponents Oppose Us
Once, when about to eat, having risen up to pray about the ninth hour, Antony perceived that he was caught up in the spirit, and, he stood and saw himself, as it were, from outside himself, and that he was led in the air by certain ones. Next certain bitter and terrible beings stood in… Read More ›
A Person Who Loves His Neighbor Loves God
Children of the devil know how to cut us off from God, for they know that a person who loves his neighbor loves God. For this cause, as enemies of virtue, they sow in our hearts pretense about what is our own, and this becomes like kindling wood, filling us with great enmity against one… Read More ›
Life of St. Antony
John Michael Talbot explaining the life of St. Anthony, the early desert fathers and how their example can help us solve the problem we face each and every day.