Anthony the Great

Father of all monks and hermits.

St. Anthony the Great, the father of monasticism, was born in Egypt in the middle of the third century. Hearing in church the Gospel call to sell all, give to the poor, and follow Christ, he gave away his inheritance and withdrew into the desert, where he spent the rest of his long life in prayer, labor, and fierce spiritual struggle.

His holiness drew multitudes, and the desert became a city of monks who took him as their guide. His life, written by St. Athanasios of Alexandria, spread monasticism throughout the Christian world. He reposed at a great age around the year 356, and is commemorated on January 17.

Feast day

On the New Calendar, Anthony the Great is commemorated on January 17. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on January 30 of the civil calendar.

Who celebrates a name day

People with these names keep their name day on this feast:

Antonios, Antonis, Tony, Antonio, Anton, Antony, Anthony, Antonia, Tonia

Also commemorated on January 17

• George of Ioannina

  Martyr, Γεώργιος ο εξ Ιωαννίνων

  New Martyr George of Ioannina, martyred in 1838.

• Anthony the New of Veria

  Venerable, Αντώνιος ο Νέος

  Venerable Anthony the New, Wonderworker of Veria.

• Theodosios the Great

  Saint, Θεοδόσιος ο Μέγας

  Holy Emperor Theodosios the Great, who convened the Second Ecumenical Council.

• Achillas the Venerable

  Venerable, Αχιλλάς

  Venerable Achillas, an Egyptian desert father.

• Anthony of Meteora

  Venerable, Αντώνιος ο Μετεωρίτης

  Venerable Anthony Kantakouzenos of Meteora.

Icon: public domain image from Wikimedia Commons.