Q&A Home > S > St. Anthony

• To whom was Anba Antonios, the father of monasticism, confessing?
• Very often St. Anthony is, more often than not, addressed as the Founder of Monasticism and the Father of all monks who had learned from the ascetics, living on the outskirts of his village, many virtues such as quietness, humility, silence, continuous prayers, asceticism, and vigilance. Weren't those ascetics also considered monks like St. Anthony the Great, capable of teaching moral lessons and virtues to those who sought them? Was there monasticism prior to St. Anthony? How did the "Founder of Monasticism" specifically relate to St. Anthony?
• Why is St. Anthony making salvation as if it depends solely on works? That is what I read in this quote. Mind you, he is talking to a sect of people who have already relinquished their lives. He is not talking to common laymen. Even if he were talking to common people, he is still putting so much stress on works. Also, the wording "all nature of earthly possessions," people possess the house they live in and the clothes they wear, and so forth. Also: "you cannot be saved" is just making it depend on us. Of course, we cannot be saved. "Unless each one of you shall hate all nature of earthly possessions, and renounce it and all of its works with all your heart, and stretch out the hands of your heart to heaven to the Father of all, you cannot be saved." (St. Anthony the Great)