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The Cult of Saints in Late Antiquity


from its origins to circa AD 700, across the entire Christian world


Name

Antony, 'the Great', monk of Egypt, ob. 356

Saint ID

S00098

Reported Death Not Before

356

Reported Death Not After

356

Gender
Male
Type of Saint
Ascetics/monks/nuns, Hermits/recluses
Related Evidence Records
IDTitle
E00217Fulgentius, bishop of Ruspe, in his treatise On the Truth of Predestination, refers to holy monks of Egypt, whom he knows most probably from monastic hagiography, as examples of saintly life. Contains references to *Paul (the First Anchorite, S00089), *Antony ('the Great', monk of Egypt, ob. 356, S00098), *Hilarion (anchorite in Palestine and Cyprus, ob. 371, S00099), *Makarios (probably Makarios 'the Egyptian', monastic founder in the Sketis, ob.391, S00863), and *Ioannes/John (probably of Lycopolis, anchorite of Egypt, S00102). Written in Latin in Ruspe (Byzacena, central North Africa), c. 523.
E00260An anonymous author translates the Life of *Antony ('the Great', monk of Egypt, ob. 356, S00098) from Greek into Latin, certainly after 356, probably before 374, in an unknown place.
E00513The Piacenza Pilgrim, in his account of Alexandria (Lower Egypt), lists the graves there of *Athanasios (bishop of Alexandria, ob. 373, S00294), *Phaustos/Faustus (presbyter and martyr of Alexandria, S00299).*Epimachos (presumably Epimachos of Pelusium, martyr of Alexandria, S00222), 'Antoninus' (either *Antony 'the Great', monk of Egypt, ob. 356, S00098, or *Antoninus, martyr of Alexandria, S00327) and *Mark (the Evangelist, S00293). Account of an anonymous pilgrim, written in Latin, probably in Placentia (northern Italy), c. 560.
E00526The Piacenza Pilgrim recounts how *Euphemia (martyr of Chalcedon, S00017), and *Antoninus/Antonius (probably Antoninus, martyr of Piacenza, S00328, but possibly *Antony, 'the Great', monk of Egypt, ob. 356, S00098) appeared to him and cured him, when he was ill in Jerusalem. Account of an anonymous pilgrim, written in Latin, probably in Placentia (northern Italy), c. 560.
E00631Athanasius of Alexandria writes in Greek the Life of *Antony ('the Great', monk of Egypt, ob. 356, S00098) at the request of monks from abroad; it presents Antony as an exemplary monk, and describes his ascetic practices, struggles with demons, miracles, and doctrines. Written in Alexandria (Egypt), in c. 360.
E00669Athanasius of Alexandria recounts the death of *Antony ('the Great', monk of Egypt, ob. 356, S00098): he demands to be buried at a secret place, and distributes his poor belongings to two bishops and two of his fellow monks, who keep them as valuables. Account in Athanasius’ Life of Antony ($Ε00631), written in Greek in Alexandria (Egypt) in c. 360.
E00702Jerome, in his Life of Hilarion, describes a pious visit which Hilarion (anchorite in Palestine and Cyprus, ob. 371, S00099) paid to the hermitage of *Antony ('the Great', monk of Egypt, ob. 356, S00098) in the Eastern Desert of Egypt, during which Hilarion asked to see Antony's hidden grave. Written in Latin in Bethlehem (Palestine) in the early 390s.
E00703Isidore of Seville in his Latin Chronicle written in two redactions in 615/616 and 626 states that the body of *Antony ('the Great', monk of Egypt, ob. 356, S00098), was discovered through revelation, transferred to and buried in Alexandria, in the church of *John the Baptist, during the reign of Justinian (527-565).
E00712Victor of Tunnuna, in his Chronicle, recounts how the body of *Antony ('the Great', monk of Egypt, ob. 356, S00098), was discovered, transferred to, and buried in Alexandria, in the basilica of *John the Baptist (S00020), in 561. Written in Latin in Constantinople, 565/566.
E00713Jerome, in his Life of Hilarion, presents *Hilarion (anchorite in Palestine and Cyprus, ob. 371, S00099) as a monastic leader and miracle-worker, junior but equal to *Antony ('the Great', monk of Egypt, ob. 356, S00098). Written in Latin in Bethlehem (Palestine) in the early 390s.
E00750Jerome's Life of *Paul of Thebes (the First Anchorite, S00089) presents him as the first hermit, who spent his entire life in solitude and was discovered only just before his death by *Antony ('the Great', monk of Egypt, ob. 356, S00098). Written in Latin in the desert of Chalkis (Syria), c. 375.
E00845Sulpicius Severus writes his Dialogues on *Martin (ascetic and bishop of Tours, ob. 397, S00050), presenting him as a monk, bishop, and above all miracle-worker, superior to monks of Egypt. Written in Latin in Primuliacum (south-west Gaul), c. 404-406. Overview entry.
E00930Evagrius of Antioch translates into Latin Athanasius' Greek Life of *Antony ('the Great, monk of Egypt, ob. 356, S00098). Written in Antioch (Syria), 356/374.
E01236Gregory of Nazianzus, in his Oration 21 of 379/380, mentions the Life of *Antony ('the Great', monk of Egypt, ob. 356, S00098) by Athanasius of Alexandria, which he describes as a rule for monastic life in the guise of a narrative account. He expresses the hope that a similar life will be written for *Athanasius (bishop of Alexandria, S00294) himself. Written in Greek at Constantinople.
E02016Gregory of Tours, in his Histories (1.38), records the death in 356 of *Antony ('the Great', monk of Egypt, S00398), and the voyage of *Melania the Elder (aristocrat of Rome, monastic founder in Jerusalem, ob. 410, S01185) from Rome to Jerusalem, where she is given the honorific name 'Thecla', after *Thekla (follower of the Apostle Paul, S00092). Written in Latin in Tours (north-west Gaul), 575/594.
E02685Braulio, bishop of Zaragoza, in his Life of *Aemilianus (ascetic of Berceo/Cogolla, ob. 570s, S00578), presents the saint as an ascetic and miracle worker. Written in Latin in Zaragoza (north-east Hispania), 631/646.
E02931Besa, abbot of the White Monastery near Sohag in Upper Egypt, in a Coptic letter To Herai, a nun who had decided to leave the monastery, quotes *Antony ('the Great', monk of Egypt, ob. 356, S00098), saying that neglectful behaviour in ascetics pains the saints, and states that Herai, when she was a nun, had been numbered with the saints; written in the late 5th century.
E02948The early seventh-century Georgian version of the Lectionary of Jerusalem commemorates on 17 January *Antony ('the Great', monk of Egypt, ob. 356, S00098).
E03176Palladius of Helenopolis writes the Lausiac History, a collection of short narratives and teachings of male and female ascetics in Egypt, Syria, Palestine, Asia Minor, and Italy, commissioned by the patrician Lausos. Written in Greek at Aspuna or Ankyra (both Galatia, central Asia Minor), 419/420. Overview entry
E03320Palladius of Helenopolis, in his Lausiac History (21), mentions stories about *Antony ('the Great', monk of Egypt, ob. 356, S00098), recounted to him by the monk Kronios of Sketis (Lower Egypt). Written in Greek at Aspuna or Ankyra (both Galatia, central Asia Minor), 419/420.
E03321Palladius of Helenopolis, in his Lausiac History (22), recounts the story of *Paulos the Simple (ascetic of Egypt, S01480), recounted to him by Kronios of Sketis (Lower Egypt) and others. It is associated with *Antony ('the Great', monk of Egypt. ob. 356, S00098), and recounts a miracle of exorcism. Written in Greek at Aspuna or Ankyra (both Galatia, central Asia Minor), 419/420.
E03558An anonymous monk of Jerusalem writes the History of the Monks in Egypt, a collection of stories about holy men and monastic communities, which he recorded during a visit to the monasteries of Egypt in 394/5. It is the first monastic collection in Christian literature. Written in Greek at Jerusalem, 395/397. Overview entry.
E03872The Church Calendar of Ioane Zosime, compiled in Georgian in the 10th c., based however on 5th-7th c. prototypes from Palestine, commemorates on 21 September *Paul (the First Anchorite, S00089), *Antony ('the Great', monk of Egypt, ob. 356, S00098) and *Jonah (the Old Testament prophet, S01237).
E04136Coptic ostracon from Hermonthis (Upper Egypt), mentioning *Antony ('the Great', monk of Egypt, ob. 356, S00098) and another saint whose name is lost; datable to the 7th/8th century.
E04146Coptic ostracon from western Thebes (Upper Egypt) referring to Apa *Antonios (Antony 'the Great', monk of Egypt, ob. 356, S00098) as a luminous column, and alluding to him and Apa *Makarios ('the Egyptian', monastic founder of the Sketis, ob. 391, S00863) as model holy men, and mentioning how Apa *Paphnoutios (Egyptian saint, precise identity uncertain, S00882) had needed council with Antony; datable to the first half of the 8th century.
E04172Coptic ostracon from western Thebes (Upper Egypt) referring to Apa *Antonios (Antony 'the Great', monk of Egypt, ob. 356, S00098) as a luminous column; datable to the first half of the 8th century.
E04192Eustratius of Constantinople in his tract On the State of Souls after Death, argues that miracles and visions are performed by the souls of the saints personally, responding to those who deny the posthumous activity of the soul and ascribe miracles to divine powers assuming the forms of the saints. He quotes from several hagiographic works. Written in Greek at Constantinople, 583/602.
E04539Rufinus of Aquileia, in his Church History (10.8) presents Antony (monk of Egypt, S00098) as an exemplary monk who lived in the desert, triumphed over demons, and was asked by the emperor Constantine for intercession; he also refers to the Life of Antony, written by Athanasius of Alexandria and translated into Latin. Written in Latin in Aquileia (northern Italy), c. 402.
E04612The 6th/7th c. recension of the Latin Martyrologium Hieronymianum, as transmitted in 8th c. manuscripts, records the feasts of a number of saints on 17 January.
E05192Coptic Encomion on Apa *Apollo (S01968), Pachomian monk and founder of the monastery of *Isaak (S00276), presumably located near Herakleopolis Magna (Middle Egypt), attributed to Stephanos, bishop of Herakleopolis Magna, and presented on Apollo’s day of commemoration, relating the saint’s ascetic life as a monk in the Pachomian monastery at Pbow, his virtues and great humility, his wanderings, as well as his founding of the monastery of Isaak, his prophetic gift and numerous miracles performed during his lifetime as well as posthumously; written presumably in the later 6th c.
E05276The Coptic Life of *Samuel of Kalamun (monk, monastic founder and healing saint, S01991), presented by Isaak, a monk and priest at the monastery of *Mary (Mother of Christ, S00033) founded by Samuel at Kalamun (in the Fayum) on the saint’s feast day, relates his asceticism and sanctity, his visions of angels, his special bond with the Virgin Mary to whom he dedicated his monastic church, his gift of prophecy, and his miraculous healing powers, referring to the ascetic as a martyr without being beheaded. Written presumably at Kalamun in the later 8th c.
E05407Bede, in his Martyrology, records the feast on 10 January of *Paul (the First Anchorite, S00089), whose soul *Antony ('the Great', S00098) saw carried to heaven by angels and *apostles (S00084). Written in Latin at Wearmouth-Jarrow (north-east Britain), 725/731.
E05840The Calendar of Willibrord, in its earliest version, records the feasts of various saints in January. Written in Latin at Echternach, Frisia (north-east Gaul), 703/710.
E05890Hesychius of Jerusalem composes his Homily 8, On *Antony (‘the Great’, monk of Egypt, S00098), which he preaches during the celebration of the saint at the church of the Anastasis in Jerusalem on 17 January. Written in Greek at Jerusalem, in the early 5th c.
E05930The Greek Life of *Antony ('the Great', monk of Egypt, ob. 356, S00098) is translated into Syriac during the 5th or 6th century.
E06468Cyril of Scythopolis composes the Life of *Euthymios (monastic founder in Palestine, οb. 472, S01352), recounting his life as a miracle-working ascetic, adding a set of posthumous miracle stories, and including references to the cult of several other saints. Written in Greek at the New Laura in Palestine, in 555/557. Overview entry
E06558Aldhelm, in his prose On Virginity, names *Anthony ('the Great', monk of Egypt, ob. 356, S00098) as an exemplary virgin. Written in Latin in southern Britain, for the nuns at the monastery at Barking (south-east Britain), c. 675/686.
E06572Aldhelm, in his prose On Virginity, names *Amos/Amun (ascetic and monk of Nitria, S00419), whose soul *Antony ('the Great', S00098) saw carried to heaven, as an exemplary virgin. Written in Latin in southern Britain, for the nuns at the monastery at Barking (south-east Britain), c. 675/686.
E06659Aldhelm's verse On Virginity lists a range of saints as exemplary virgins, with some variations to the list found in the earlier prose version of the same treatise. Written in Latin in southern Britain, for the nuns at the monastery at Barking (south-east Britain), c. 675/710. Overview entry
E06677Cyril of Scythopolis composes the Life of *Sabas (‘the Sanctified’, monastic founder in Palestine, ob. 532, S00910), recounting his life as a miracle working ascetic and founder of numerous monasteries, adding a set of posthumous miracle stories, and including references to cults of several other saints. Written in Greek at the New Laura in Palestine, 555/557. Overview entry
E06677Cyril of Scythopolis composes the Life of *Sabas (‘the Sanctified’, monastic founder in Palestine, ob. 532, S00910), recounting his life as a miracle working ascetic and founder of numerous monasteries, adding a set of posthumous miracle stories, and including references to cults of several other saints. Written in Greek at the New Laura in Palestine, 555/557. Overview entry
E06936The Greek Martyrdom of the *Forty-five martyrs of Nikopolis (martyrs in Armenia under Licinius, S01778) recounts the death of a group of Christians, led by the nobles Leontios, Maurikios, and Daniel, in Nikopolis/Nicopolis of Armenia under Licinius. The text alludes to the cult of their relics, refers to a miraculous spring of water on the site of their martyrdom, and contains references to the martyrdoms of *Euphemia (martyr of Chalcedon, S00017), *Kapitolina (martyr of Caesarea, S02510), *Ioulitta (martyr of Caesarea, S00416) and *Potamiaina (martyr of Alexandria, S00945). Written in Nicopolis (eastern Asia Minor), in the 5th or 6th c.
E06987The Greek Conversion of *Taisia (penitent of Egypt, S02646) recounts the story of a prostitute in Alexandria who is converted to the monastic life by *Serapion Sindonios (travelling ascetic of Egypt, S02647). Written in Egypt, it survives in two versions, probably originating from the 5th c.
E07009Coptic Encomion on *Antony ( 'the Great', monk of Egypt, ob. 356, S00098) from the monastery of the Archangel Michael near Hamuli in the Fayum, attributed to John, bishop of Shmun/Hermopolis (Middle Egypt), written in the late 6th/early 7th century. Skeleton entry
E07050Coptic Life of *Anthony the Anchorite (S00098), by Athanasius of Alexandria, from the monastery of the Archangel Michael near Hamuli in the Fayum. Skeleton entry
E0831535 relic labels at Sens (northern Gaul), datable by their script to the 7th or 8th c., for relics of a great diversity of saints. Written in Latin, perhaps at Sens, or at an earlier stage in their transmission.