Section 44

As Antony spoke in this way, everyone rejoiced. In some, love of virtue increased; in others, carelessness was cast aside; and in still others, conceit was brought to an end. All were persuaded to despise the assaults of the Evil One, and they marveled at the grace for discerning spirits that the Lord had given Antony.

Their cells in the mountains became like holy communities filled with people singing psalms, loving the reading of Scripture, fasting, praying, rejoicing in the hope of things to come, laboring in almsgiving, and preserving love and harmony with one another.

It was truly possible to see there a land set apart, filled with reverence for God and justice. There was neither an evildoer nor a victim of wrongdoing, nor the abusive demands of a tax collector. Instead there was a multitude of ascetics, all sharing one purpose: to pursue virtue.

So anyone who looked upon the cells and saw the good order among the monks might have lifted up his voice and said: “How beautiful are your dwellings, Jacob, and your tents, Israel! Like shaded valleys, like gardens beside a river, like tents the Lord has pitched, like cedars beside the waters.”