Section 88

This was what was especially remarkable about Antony’s ascetic life. As I said before, because he had the gift of discerning spirits, he recognized their movements and was not ignorant of the direction in which each spirit turned its activity and launched its attack.

Not only was Antony himself never deceived by them, but he also encouraged those who were troubled by doubts and taught them how to defeat the demons’ designs. He explained the weakness and deceitfulness of the spirits that attacked them.

Thus each person came down from the mountain as though Antony had equipped him for battle, ready to face the schemes of the devil and his demons.

How many young women who had suitors, after merely seeing Antony from a distance, chose to remain virgins for Christ’s sake! People came to him even from foreign lands and, like everyone else, returned after receiving some benefit, as though a father had supplied them for the road ahead.

Certainly, when Antony died, everyone felt as though they had lost a father. They consoled themselves chiefly by remembering him, while continuing to preserve his counsel and instructions.