Who is St. Anthony the Great?
By CopticBot.ai (Coptic Space Inc.) · Last reviewed 2026-10-10
St. Anthony the Great is one of the most revered figures in Coptic Orthodoxy, known as the Father of Monasticism and the Star of the Wilderness. His life and legacy are foundational to the spirituality of the Coptic Church.
Life and Calling
St. Anthony was born around 251 AD in the village of Qoman in Upper Egypt to a wealthy Christian family. At the age of 18, after the death of his parents, he entered a church and heard the Gospel reading: "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me" (Matthew 19:21). Taking this as a direct command from God, he distributed his wealth, placed his sister in the care of a group of virgins, and withdrew into the desert.
The Ascetic Life
St. Anthony’s life was marked by extreme asceticism and spiritual warfare. He spent 20 years in complete isolation in an old fort at Mount Pispir. During this time, he faced fierce temptations and physical attacks from demons. His victory over these trials, through prayer and the sign of the Cross, established the path for all future monastics.
Defense of the Faith
Though a hermit, St. Anthony was deeply involved in the life of the Church. He was a close friend and supporter of St. Athanasius the Apostolic.
- Against Arianism: St. Anthony left his cell and traveled to Alexandria to testify against the Arian heresy, which denied the divinity of Christ. His presence and testimony were instrumental in strengthening the faithful.
- Under Persecution: During the persecution of Maximinus, he went to Alexandria to comfort the confessors in the prisons and mines, desiring martyrdom himself, though God preserved him for the guidance of the monks.
The Monastery and Legacy
St. Anthony eventually settled in the Eastern Desert, near the Red Sea, at Mount Colzim. This site is now home to the Monastery of St. Anthony, which is the oldest continuously inhabited monastery in the world.
In the diaspora, particularly in North America and around the world, many churches and even a monastery are dedicated to him, including:
- St. Anthony Monastery in Newberry Springs, California.
- St. Anthony Coptic Orthodox Church in Medford, New Jersey.
- St. Anthony Coptic Orthodox Church in Annville, Pennsylvania.
- Archangel Michael & St. Anthony Coptic Orthodox Church in North Chesterfield, Virginia.
Liturgical Commemoration
The Coptic Church celebrates his departure on the 22nd of Tobi. In the Liturgy, he is mentioned prominently in the Commemoration of the Saints as "the great Abba Anthony."
Teaching
His life was documented by St. Athanasius in the famous biography The Life of Antony, which spread monasticism throughout the world. He taught that "he who knows himself, knows God," and emphasized that our salvation or condemnation often depends on our neighbor.
Coptic Title: The Great Abba Anthony