The Desert Fathers: Anthony and the Beginnings of Monasticism

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Introduction ix Egypt i Anthony of Egypt—Abbot and Star of the Desert 3 Childhood and Youth 7 Call to Asceticism 10 Anthony among the Tombs 17 Anthony Goes into the Desert 21 The First Monastic Foundations 25 Journey to Alexandria 29 Into the Interior Desert 34 Anthony’s Miracles 37 Anthony Fights against the Arians in Alexandria 49 Anthony Disputes with Pagan Philosophers—The Emperor, Soldiers, and Simple People Seek His Counsel 56 The End of Anthony’s Life 66 Eulogy by Athanasius 70 Veneration of the Saint 72 Anthony’s Grave and the Antonite Order 74 The Original Hermit—Paul of Thebes 77 From Anchorite to Cenobite—Pachomius 81 Syria’s Marvelous Flowering of Asceticism—Simeon Stylites 88 Monasticism in Asia Minor—Basil of Caesarea 92 From the Orient to the Occident—Monasticism in the West 97 Roman-Occupied Gaul—Martin of Tours and John Cassian tooIntroduction ix Egypt i Anthony of Egypt—Abbot and Star of the Desert 3 Childhood and Youth 7 Call to Asceticism 10 Anthony among the Tombs 17 Anthony Goes into the Desert 21 The First Monastic Foundations 25 Journey to Alexandria 29 Into the Interior Desert 34 Anthony’s Miracles 37 Anthony Fights against the Arians in Alexandria 49 Anthony Disputes with Pagan Philosophers—The Emperor, Soldiers, and Simple People Seek His Counsel 56 The End of Anthony’s Life 66 Eulogy by Athanasius 70 Veneration of the Saint 72 Anthony’s Grave and the Antonite Order 74 The Original Hermit—Paul of Thebes 77 From Anchorite to Cenobite—Pachomius 81 Syria’s Marvelous Flowering of Asceticism—Simeon Stylites 88 Monasticism in Asia Minor—Basil of Caesarea 92 From the Orient to the Occident—Monasticism in the West 97 Roman-Occupied Gaul—Martin of Tours and John Cassian 1oo Irish Monasticism—Patrick and Columban 105 Benedict of Nursia—Father of Western Monasticism 111 Conclusion—Religious Orders and the Renewal of the Church 116 Selected Bibliography 121 Index 123