Section 14

For nearly twenty years Antony continued his ascetic training in solitude. He never came out and was only rarely seen by anyone.

After this, many people were eager to imitate his way of life. His acquaintances came and began to break down and tear away the door by force. Then Antony came out as though from a sanctuary, like one initiated in sacred mysteries and inspired by God. For the first time in all those years, those who had come to see him saw him outside the fort.

They were astonished when they looked at him. His body had the same condition it had possessed before: he was neither swollen from lack of exercise nor emaciated by fasting and his battles with the demons. He was just as they had known him before his withdrawal.

His soul likewise remained in a pure and balanced state. It was not constricted by grief, loosened by pleasure, or overcome by either laughter or dejection. The sight of the crowd did not disturb him, nor did the greetings of so many people make him excessively glad. He was completely steady, governed by reason and remaining in accordance with nature.

Through Antony the Lord healed many who were present of bodily illnesses and freed others from evil spirits. He also gave Antony grace in speaking, so that he comforted many who were grieving and reconciled others who were in conflict. He urged everyone to prefer the love of Christ to everything in the world. He exhorted them to remember the good things to come and God’s loving-kindness toward us—God “who did not spare his own Son but delivered him up for us all.” In this way he persuaded many to embrace the solitary life.

Thus cells eventually arose even in the mountains. The desert became inhabited by monks who left their own people and enrolled themselves as citizens of heaven.