Anthony

St., (THE GREAT,) (an'to-ne,) the founder of monastic institutions, was B. A. D. 251, near Heraclea, in Upper Egypt. In 205, having sold all his property and given the proceeds to the poor, he withdrew into the desert whither a number of disciples were attracted by his reputation for sanctity; and thus was formed the first community of monks. He afterwards went to Alexandria, to seek the honor of martyrdom amid the persecutions there raging against the Christians; but ashis life was spared, he again returned to the desert, and D. at the great age of105. [s. 35]