The classic, fascinating and almost fabulous life of St. Antony of the Desert, the Father of Monasticism, both East and West, all as recorded by St. Athanasius, his friend. Filled with miracles, wisdom and revelations. St. Antony revealed that there are swarms of devils everywhere, but that they are powerless to harm us when we use the Holy Name of Jesus and sacramentals to ward them off. Will touch the heart of every reader! Impr. 106 pgs, PB

"New edition, revised, with a letter of St. Athanasius on the interpretation of the Psalms added as an appendix." Includes bibliographical references.

The biographic text of St. Anthony is presented complete in this edition for the reader's absorption and contemplation. First published in the 4th century A.D., Anthony the Great's biography was authored by Christian Saint Athanasius of Alexandria. Since its release, the book has helped spread the beliefs, practices and arduous faith of Anthony the Great. A significant progenitor of the monastic tradition, Saint Anthony lived an ascetic lifestyle in the arid lands of Egypt. Although not the earliest of religious figures committed to this tradition, through actions and preaching Anthony helped popularise and spread principles that would contribute heavily to the establishment of Christian monasteries in Europe and beyond. One event in St. Anthony's life was his encounter with the supernatural in the remote Egyptian desert. This occurrence, where the otherworldly presence tried to tempt him from his spartan philosophy of living, is much recreated in Western art and literature.

The Great Athanasius is an introductory survey of the life and work of the most dynamic pastor-theologian of the fourth century. From his birth and early years in Alexandria to the "Golden Decade," the book charts the life and work of Athanasius through a close study of his main writings and other important works. Central to his story is the "Arian controversy," the Council of Nicea, and the subsequent difficulties that emerged in building a consensus around the "very God, very Man" affirmation of the Nicene Creed. The eventual triumph of the theology of the Nicene Creed was largely due to his tireless efforts, which are carefully chronicled in this work. Though a controversial figure in his own lifetime, through both his theological insight and ecclesiastical leadership, and in his fidelity to his faith convictions, Athanasius proved to be "the great" church father and theologian of his age and one of the seminal Christian thinkers of all time.

Saint Athanasius was one of the great leaders of the early Church. During the fourth century there were many great men and women of faith, but none of them did more to further the cause of Christ than this diminutive bishop from Egypt. At a time when the Church faced the most insidious heresy of all, Arianism, one man rose above all others to combat it. He was to spend the fifty years of his adult life in a courageous, bloodless, martyrdom tenaciously fighting for the truth. For his lifelong defense of the divinity of Christ, Athanasius is called the "Father of Orthodoxy" and "the thirteenth apostle." During his lifetime Athanasius wrote several books. His work "On the Incarnation, written when he was just nineteen years old, is one of the best ever written on the subject. Many of his works were penned to counter the Arian heresy. His biography of Saint Antony; the great desert ascetic, was a "best seller" of the day. One of the greatest Fathers of the early Church, his legacy, like a beacon, has continued to shine throughout the ages.

The most important document of early monasticism, written in 357, this is a biography of the recognized founder and father of monasticism. +