The Life of Saint Anthony

The Life of Saint Anthony brings together an easy-to-read abridged version of St Athanasius's Life of Anthony and contemplations by H.H. Pope Shenouda III, for younger readers, those new to Orthodox spirituality and everyone who loves the Desert Fathers.

St Anthony the Great, the founder of monasticism, is one of the most influential saints in Christian history. Born in Egypt in the third century, he left wealth, comfort and worldly ambition to live wholly for God in the desert. His holiness, wisdom and spiritual warfare became known across the Christian world, shaping generations of monks, saints and believers in both East and West. As St Athanasius wrote, "For monks, the life of Anthony is a sufficient example of asceticism."

The first half of the book is the abridged Life of Anthony by St Athanasius of Alexandria. The second half holds Pope Shenouda III's contemplations on the life of St Anthony, shaped by His Holiness's deep love for monasticism and the desert.

A classic monastic text, full of spiritual wisdom and examples of holiness from the early Church, it is ideal for personal reading and youth studies, and inspires readers to a life of repentance, simplicity, humility and complete devotion to Christ.

Book details

• Authors: St Athanasius of Alexandria and H.H. Pope Shenouda III
• Format: Printed book
• Pages: 110
• Published: 2020, St Shenouda Press
• ISBN: 9780648865803