Preface

The life and way of living of our holy father Antony, written and sent to the monks in other lands by our father among the saints, Athanasius, bishop of Alexandria. Athanasius the bishop, to the brothers in other lands. [a]

You have entered on a noble rivalry with the monks of Egypt, determined as you are either to equal them or to surpass them in your training in the way of virtue. For by now there are monasteries among you, and the name of monk is publicly recognized. With good reason, then, everyone will approve this determination of yours, and in answer to your prayers God will bring it to fulfillment. Now you have asked me to give you an account of the blessed Antony’s way of life. You want to learn how he began the discipline, who he was and what kind of man he was before this, how he ended his life, and whether the things told about him are true, so that you too may set yourselves to imitate him. I very gladly accepted your request, for the mere remembrance of Antony is a great help to me as well. And I know that when you have heard it, besides admiring the man, you will want to imitate his determination too; for the life of Antony is a sufficient pattern of discipline for monks. So do not refuse to believe what you have heard from those who brought news of him. Think rather that they have told you only a few things, for they can hardly have described matters of such importance in any detail. And since at your request I have called to mind a few things about him, and will send as much as I can tell in a letter, do not neglect to question those who sail from here. For perhaps, when everyone has told their story, the account will still hardly do justice to his merits. For this reason, when I received your letter, I wanted to send for some of the monks, especially those who used to be with him most often, so that if I could learn any fresh details I might send them to you. But since the sailing season was coming to an end and the letter carrier was pressing, I have hurried to write to you in your devotion what I myself know, for I saw him many times, and what I was able to learn from him, for I was his attendant for a long time and poured water on his hands. In everything I have kept the truth in mind, so that no one should disbelieve from hearing too much, or, on the other hand, think little of the man from hearing too little. [b]