Saint Anthonay And the environment around him

 

Tuesday, August 22, 2006

 

 

The role of the physical environment:

 

 

1 - In the life of Saint Anthony:

 

 

The desert: Saint Anthony loved to live in total isolation. This was the reason which prompted Saint Anthony to move through different stages in his life. Saint Athansious said that, Saint Anthony lived behind a closed door for 30 years. The idea was to stay with God as much as one can, without being interrupted by any worldly matter at all. It was very important that Saint Anthony would not face anyone or anything that would remind him of the world.

The desert was the only factor that would affect his life. One day he told his children (followers) when fish stay too long out of the water die. It si the same for all monks. When monks stay a long time out of their cells to spiritually serve the people or to just stay among the people, they loose their inner peace of the heart. Come; let us do the same as the fishes, where they should go back quickly into the sea. Thus, the monks should go back quickly to their cells. (The Apophthegmatic Saint Anthony (45) this was translated into English by Dermas J. Ghitty, from Coptic Sadic. The Letters of the Anthony the Great S L G, 1975.

Also, when his disciples stayed with him for few years, he asked them to go deep in the desert and be tempted by the devil.

In his guidance to a new monk, he would advice the new one to stay in his cell, on the bases that he would learn a lot from this situation. However Saint Anthony was fooling his Master (i.e. the Lord Jesus) because when Jesus wanted to pry, he went to the mountain (John 8:1)

 

 

“His Holiness Pope Shenouda III said once; I asked myself; why did Gid create the desert?

There is no doubt that all the deserts and the mountains of this world are created for the benefit of mankind. In their quiet atmosphere they help the person to acquire calmness. In addition, they create the proper chance for the monk to have time with God” (Contemplation of the Life of Saint Anthony),third print 1994 the desert taught Saint Anthony (after the death of his father and mother, he was left alone) the deeper he went into the desert the harder the devil’s temptations became.

 

It is written in Vita Anthony no 11, page 199

Bent on the service of God and having fallen in with the old man

He had met previously, he asked him to dwell with him in the

Desert. But when the other declined on account of his great age,

And because as yet there was no such custom, Antony himself

Set off forthwith to the mountain. And yet again the enemy

Seeing his zeal and wishing to hinder it, east in his way what

Seemed to be a great silver dish. But Antony, seeing the guile of

The Evil One, stood, and having looked on the dish, he put the

Devil in it to shame, saying, 'Whence comes a dish in the desert

? This road is not well-worn, nor is there here a trace of any

Wayfarer; it could not have fallen without being missed on

Account of its size; and he who had lost it having turned back,

To seek it, would have found it, for it is a desert place. This is

Some wile of the devil. O thou Evil One, not with this shalt thou

Hinder my purpose; let it go with thee to destruction. (26)' And

When Anthony had said this it vanished like smoke from the face

Of fire.

 

 

After he experienced the heavenly life on earth, he persuaded many to embrace the solitary life. And thus it happened in the end that cells arose even in the mountains, and the desert was colonised by monks, who came forth from their own people, and enrolled themselves for the Citizenship in the heavens. (Vita Anthony no 14 page 200).

 

 

Saint Anthony wanted to go deeper and deeper into the desert, knowing that the more you suffer for God the more God will look after you. But if you wish really to be in quiet, depart now into the inner desert.' And when Antony said, 'Who will show me the way for I know it not?' immediately a voice pointed out to him Saracens about to go that way. So Antony approached, and drew near them, and asked that he might go with them into the desert.

 

 

And they, as though they had been commanded by Providence, received him willingly. And having journeyed with them three days and three nights, he came to a very lofty mountain (96), and at the foot of the mountain ran a clear spring, whose waters were sweet and very cold; outside there was a plain and a few uncared-for palm trees. (Vita Antony 50 page 209)

 

 

The animal:

 

St.Anthony used to talk and heal the animals. He, also reminds us of Adam when he was in paradise in {Genesis 2:19-20}." ‘19Out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. and whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name. 20So Adam gave names to all cattle, to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field’.

  But when he was obliged to cross the Arsenoitic Canal (31) and the occasion of it was the visitation of the brethren the canal was full of crocodiles. And by simply praying, he entered it, and all they who were with him, and passed over in safety. (Vita Anthony no 15 page 200). To show us how he have authority on the animal at first.

 

 

However, the wild beasts in the desert, coming because of the water, often injured his seeds and husbandry. But he, gently having hold of one of them, said to them all, 'why do you hurt me, when I hurt none of you? Depart, and in the name of the Lord comes not nigh this spot.' And from that time forward, as though fearful of his command, they no more came near the

Place. (Vita Anthony no 50 page 209).

And anther time the devil collects all wild beasts to tray to scare him but he conquers them with humility.The devil, therefore, as David says in the Psalms (100), observed Antony and gnashed his teeth against him. But Antony was consoled by the Savior and continued unhurt by his wiles and varied devices. As he was watching in the night the devil sent wild beasts against him. And almost all the hyenas in that desert came forth from their dens and surrounded him; and he was in the midst, while each one threatened to bite. Seeing that it was a trick of the enemy he said to them all: 'If ye have received power against me I am ready to be devoured by you; but if ye were sent against me by demons, stay not, but depart, for I am a servant of Christ (101).' When Antony said this they fled, driven by that word as with a whip. Vita Anthony no 52 page 210).

 

 

Saint Paulfirst hermit

 

 The Animal and the bird in his life.

 

 

He went to the desert and to a mountain. This mountain is a very famous on because of the lions which live there. However, through his prayers they didn’t harem him.

Also, God used to send his food by a bird during all this time and without delay (In the evening the raven came bringing a whole loaf of bread. St. Paul said to St. Antony, "Now, I know that you are one of the children of God. For 70 years, the Lord has been sending me half a loaf of bread everyday, but today, the Lord is sending your food also.

 

“When St. Antony wanted to bury St. Paul, he wondered how he could dig the grave. Suddenly two lions entered the cave, bowed their heads before the body of St. Paul, and shook their heads as if they were asking St. Anthony what to do. St. Antony knew that they were sent from God. He marked the length and width of the body on the ground, and they dug the grave with their claws, according to St. Antony's directions. St. Anthony then buried the holy body, and went back to

Pope Athanasius and told him what had happened. “

 

 

The palm in his life:

He put on a tunic made of palm tree fiber. The Lord sent him a raven every day with a half loaf of bread. And he used to eat from the palm. (The Coptic synaxarium Volume 2 Published and printed by St.Mark AND ST .BISHOY CHURCH ILLINOIS USA)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.     Apa Abraham: Testament of Apa Abraham, Bishop of Hermonthis,

 

 

For the Monastery of St. Phoibammon near Thebes, Egypt

Date: first quarter, 7th c. Translator: Leslie S. B. MacCoull considers

 

another type of saints where the environment here was inherited. That is everything which is owned by the monastery is transferred to the new Abbot. This is written in a will by the passing abbot.

 This was completely different form the way Saint Anthony’s era where he left every thing that he had owned in his life. There was no talking about any money at all. Nevertheless, conditions have changed because of the tax laws which were brought by Islam into Egypt.

 

([2.] May it be possible for me to live and be in good health and enjoy all my modest goods! But should I (which I pray may be averted) suffer the common lot of humankind and leave this life, I wish and order that, after my death, you, the aforementioned Victor, 3 the most pious priest and my disciple shall enter upon all of the moderate property bequeathed by me and be my heir, viz.

Movable, immovable and animate property, of every kind and sort and of whatever type and quantity, in gold and silver and cloth and copper, and clothing and books and building sites and waste lands and buildings. In a word, [you will inherit] everything, from the most costly kind to the least and down to one jug rum and the worth of one assarion4 and one obol, and whatever there happens to be of and stone household utensils, as regards all of that same moderate property bequeathed by me, including what I inherited from my forebears and what I acquired by my own sweat and by purchase and by charitable gift and by any manner or intent whatsoever, by written or unwritten means.5

 

[3.] Not only that, but also the holy monastery which is under me, that of the holy prize-bearing Martyr Abba Phoibammon which lies in the aforementioned holy mountain of Memnonion, I leave to you in unhindered ownership, together with its venerable property, from the cheap kind to the costly, down to a cinder. I direct that you, the aforementioned Victor, the most pious priest and monk, my disciple, after my death immediately and forthwith is to enter upon the moderate property bequeathed by me, to manage it and own it and be master of it, of all the goods bequeathed by me, all of them from the small to least, down to one jugerum and one assarion and one obol, and whatever there happens to be of pottery and wooden and stone household utensils, even including the pure oratory together with its venerable property, from the cheap kind to the costly.) Byz (antin Monastic Foundation Documents, Published by Dumbarton oaks research library and collection Washington, D.C.)

 

In addition, in this part too we found  Saint Anthony will discuss the monastery as businesses. He needs to improve the property regarding renting and selling and so forth.

 

(4.] Just as [my] preceding statement made clear [you shall have the right] to possess, take care of, manage and improve the property, to dwell in it, build on it, enjoy [the revenues], and rent it out, sell it, cede it, alienate it, give it as donation, grant it as a charitable gift or grant, and do everything concerning it as full owner without hindrance, and spend the revenues on the management of the aforementioned holy place and providing for the poor who come over.6 For this is what has seemed right and good to me and to this [decision] I have arrived gladly in the present complete testamentary guarantee. Byz 6.] If anyone should try at any time to oppose this uncircumscribed testament, I declare the one doing any such thing at any time whatsoever in the first place to be liable to the divine and terrifying oath and the penalty and reproach that attend upon perjury, and to be subject to the fines appointed for those who dare to transgress divine and imperial oaths, and to pay to account of a fine for transgression six ounces of gold, by deed and power exacted from the property of the interloper and accuser. Contract so he can save him to go court. This is different than the previous procedure.] So let no one of my close family or anyone else representing me, be it on [p. 234] my father’s side or my mother’s, brothers or sisters, relatives, cousins, or any other human being whosoever, be able at any occasion or time whatsoever to bring suit against you or your heirs or successors or assigns or any of your kinsfolk, neither bringing a charge nor having one brought, in court or out of court, in the local district or beyond the frontier, small or great, nor [shall they be able] to accuse you in the presence of friends nor to bring legal proceedings against you or those who come after you, before any magistrate or judge, neither by proclamation in the holy church nor in the praetoria, 7 to make use of any other device or demand a divine and imperial decree with regard to this testament in whole or in part thereof, nor in any way to transgress it, on account of the fact that in every respect it has been deemed right and been compassed by me at my own good pleasure to receive and give whatever I am found to possess or owe or be owed, and to deal with. Byz (antin Monastic Foundation Documents, Published by Dumbarton oaks research library and collection Washington, D.C.) in this part we found that the punishment or penalty for anyone who does not follow what he told them. 6. (If anyone should try at any time to oppose this uncircumscribed testament, I declare the one Doing any such thing at any time whatsoever in the first place to be liable to the divine and terrifying oath and the penalty and reproach that attend upon perjury, and to be subject to the fines appointed for those who dare to transgress divine and imperial oaths, and to pay to account of a fine for transgression six ounces of gold, by deed and power exacted from the property of the interloper and accuser.) By (antin Monastic Foundation Documents, Published by Dumbarton oaks research library and collection Washington, D.C.) in this part we found him give instructor about his death not like saint Paul.  When Saint Paul died, Saint Antony buried him.

[7.] Wherefore, since thus it is necessary to abide by everything written in this invulnerable testament, I wish and order that, after my exit from this life, the wrapping of my body and my holy

[Eucharistic] offerings8 and meals [in my memory] 9 and the Byz (antin Monastic Foundation Documents, Published by Dumbarton oaks research library and collection Washington, D.C.)

 

 

 

Saint Hor

 

In this case, there is a different type of monasticism. The environment  was different, the area around him was not far from the city, what he used to plant some young tree; so when the brethren came to live with him they did not have to go far for timber.( We visited another venerable man in the Thebaid called Hor. He wore the habit of the highest order of monks and was the father of many monasteries. He was ninety years old [when we saw him], with a full and splendid silvery beard, a lively face and appearance, reflecting something greater than mere human nature. At first he had lived in a remote part of the desert, practicing many works of abstinence, before founding a monastery not far from the city. In several places near where he lived he had planted young trees and thus established forests of various kinds of trees where there had been no cultivation at all before he came; as several of the holy fathers confirmed. His reason for planting these forests was that brethren wishing to join him would not have far to go to get timber. He took thought not only for what was necessary for their bodily needs, but also for their faith and salvation. In the desert he had subsisted on herbs and roots, which he found quite acceptable. He drank water when he could find it, and occupied himself day and night with prayers and hymns of praises. But when he had got to a mature age an angel of the Lord appeared in the desert by a vision, saying: 'You will become a great people, and many through you will believe, many thousands of human beings will be saved through you. Those whom you convert to the way of salvation in this life will remain under your leadership for the future, Fear not, you will never lack any provision for the bodily needs which you ask the Lord to provide. He also accepted all visitors with open arms and a very warm welcome.

 

He gathered about him great numbers of monks, but when he saw us arriving among them he turned towards us with a most warm welcome. He greeted us, said a prayer as was the custom, washed the feet of us guests with his own hands, and began to point out to us from the Scriptures many things to help building our lives and our faith. God had given him a great gift for teaching. After giving us many wise interpretations of Scripture he turned again to prayer. For it was his custom never to take food until he had enjoyed a spiritual Communion with Christ. This done, he gave thanks and invited us to eat. He sat down with us himself, but never ceased conversing about spiritual subjects.) (History of the Egyption monk)(Historian Monochrome in Aegypto-Part 2)

By Ehab Wahib