“O Father Anthony, you imitated the zealous Elijah. You followed the straight paths of the Baptist and became a desert dweller. By prayer you confirmed the universe. Wherefore, intercede with Christ our God to save our souls” (Apolytikion of St. Anthony)

St. Anthony was born about 250 A.D. to noble parents in Egypt. After their death, he made provisions for his younger sister, but he gave away his half of this large inheritance and dedicated his life to asceticism. As a young man, St. Anthony heard the Gospel passage: “If you would be perfect, sell all that you have, give it to the poor and come, follow Me” (Mt. 19:21). In following this command, he spent the next 20 years of his life in solitude near the Red Sea. His life of prayer, overcoming temptation, and striving for purity and wisdom inspired others to come to Christ. St. Anthony was one of the most learned men of his time; his eloquent defense of the Orthodox belief in Christ, against charges of heresy, earned him the title of “St. Anthony the Great.” Although others were living a monastic life in his time, St. Anthony's life inspired the movement worldwide, including Egypt, Greece, Ethiopia, Palestine, Italy, France, Ireland, Russia, and now the United States. As such, he is considered to be the "patriarch" of monastic life.