He [[Image:Anthony the Great.jpg|right|frame|St. Anthony the Great]]Our venerable and God-bearing Father [[Saint]] '''Anthony the Great''' was born in to a wealthy family in Upper upper Egypt about 254 ceAD. Known Also known as '''Anthony of Egypt''', '''Anthony of the Desert''', and '''Anthony the Anchorite''', he was a leader among the [[Desert Fathers]], who were Christian monks [[monk]]s in the Egyptian desert in the 3rd and 4th centuries AAD.D The [[Orthodox Church]] celebrates his feast on [[January 17]]. ==Life==One day after a teaching on Jesus saying to the people “If , "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasures in heaven; and come, follow Me" ([[Gospel of Matthew|Matthew]] 19:21), St. Anthony sold everything he owned, gave the proceeds to the poor, and left the city behind to live in the desert. Although he held no titles or position, his holiness marked him as one whose wisdom commanded respect. When the Synod of Nicea was convened, he was invited to participate. His eloquent defense of the Orthodox doctrine concerning the person of Jesus Christ was instrumental in weakening the position of [[Arianism]].His witness led to the eventual and complete elimination of Arianism. He instructed his followers to bury his body in an unmarked, secret grave, lest his body become an object of [[veneration]]. The monastic rules of Saint Anthony, the "[[patriarch]]" of monastic life, have served as the basis for countless monasteries. ==Hymns=='''[http://goarch.org/en/chapel/saints.asp?contentid=389 Greek:]''' [[Apolytikion]] (Fourth Tone):O Father Anthony, you imitated the zealous [[Elijah]]. :You followed the straight paths of the [[John the Forerunner|Baptist]] and became a desert dweller. :By prayer you confirmed the universe. :Wherefore, intercede with [[Christ]] our God to save our souls. [[Kontakion]] (Second Tone):Forsaking the uproars of life O venerable one, :you completed your life in quiet, fully imitating the Baptist. :Therefore, we honor you with him, O Anthony, Father of Fathers. ==Sources and External Links==*[http://goarch.org/en/chapel/saints.asp?contentid=389 Anthony the Great] from the [[Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America]] website*[http://saintgeorge.org/news_and_events/church_calendar/saint_of_the_day/01jan/jan_17_saint_anthony_the_great.php Saint Anthony the Great] from the website of the Saint George [[Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America|Antiochian]] Orthodox Christian Church in Washington, DC [[Category:Desert Fathers]][[Category:Monastics]][[Category:Saints]]
