Section 46

After this the Church was overtaken by the persecution that occurred under Maximinus. When the holy martyrs were brought to Alexandria, Antony left his cell and followed them, saying, “Let us go as well, so that if we are called we may enter the contest, or at least behold those who are contending.”

He longed to suffer martyrdom, yet he would not hand himself over deliberately. Instead, he served the confessors in the mines and in the prisons. In the court he showed great zeal, encouraging those who were summoned to remain ready for their contest. When people were being led to martyrdom, he received them and accompanied them on their way until they completed their witness.

The judge saw the fearlessness of Antony and his companions and their zeal in these matters. He therefore ordered that no monk was to appear in the court or remain anywhere in the city.

All the others thought it best to hide themselves that day. Antony, however, paid so little attention to the order that he washed his outer garment and the next day stood in a prominent place before them, appearing before the governor in his cleanest clothing.

Everyone else marveled. The governor saw him as he passed by with his entourage, yet Antony stood without fear, displaying the readiness of us Christians. As I said before, he himself prayed to become a martyr, and he seemed grieved that he had not been allowed to bear witness in this way.

But the Lord was preserving him for our benefit and for the benefit of others, so that he might become a teacher to many in the ascetic discipline he had learned from the Scriptures. Many people, merely by seeing his way of life, became eager to imitate his conduct.

So Antony continued as before to serve the confessors. As though he too were imprisoned with them, he labored in his ministry to them.