Life
of Antony.
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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.