The Lives of the Saints, Volume 01 (of 16): JanuaryBaring-Gould, S. (Sabine)
Religion
The Lives of the Saints, Volume 01 (of 16): January
Baring-Gould, S. (Sabine)
Christian saints
But when two brethren were coming to him, and water failed them on the
journey, one of them died, and the other was about to die. In fact,
being no longer able to walk, he too lay upon the ground expecting
death. But Antony, as he sat on the mountain, called two monks who
happened to be there, and hastened them, saying, "Take a pitcher of
water, and run on the road towards Egypt; for of two who are coming
hither one has just expired, and the other will do so if you do not
hasten. For this has been showed to me as I prayed." So the monks,
going, found the one lying dead, and buried him; and the other they
recovered with the water, and brought him to the old man. Now the
distance was a day's journey. But this alone in Antony was wonderful,
that sitting on the mountain he kept his heart watchful, and the Lord
showed him things afar off.
And concerning those who came to him, he often predicted some days, or
even a month, beforehand, and the cause why they were coming. For some
came only to see him, and others on account of sickness, and all thought
the labour of the journey no trouble, for each went back aware that he
had been benefited.
But how tolerant was his temper, and how humble his spirit! for though
he was so great, he wished to put every ecclesiastic before himself in
honour. For to the bishops and priests he bowed his head; and if a
deacon came to him, he discoursed with him on what was profitable, but
in prayer he gave place to him. He often asked questions, and deigned to
listen to all present, confessing that he was profited if any one said
aught that was useful. Moreover, his countenance had great and wonderful
grace; and this gift too he had from the Saviour. For if he was present
among the multitude of monks, and any one who did not previously know
him wished to see him, as soon as he came, he passed by all the rest,
and ran to Antony himself, as if attracted by his eyes. He did not
differ from the rest in stature or in stoutness, but in the steadiness
of his temper, and the purity of his soul; for as his soul was
undisturbed, his outward senses were undisturbed likewise, so that the
cheerfulness of his soul made his face cheerful. And he was altogether
wonderful in faith, and pious, for he never communicated with the
Meletian[67] schismatics, knowing their malice and apostasy from the
beginning; nor did he converse amicably with Manichaeans or any other
heretics, save only to exhort them to be converted to piety. For he held
that their friendship and converse was injury and ruin to the soul. So
also he detested the heresy of the Arians, and exhorted all not to
approach them, nor hold their misbelief.[68]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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