St. Anthony of Antioch

Anthony (Ἀντώνιος; died 302 AD) was an early Christian priest who suffered martyrdom with Anastasius, Julian, Celsus and Marcionilla during the Diocletianic Persecution. Denouncing the Roman way of life, he lived as a desert hermit, practiced celibacy, lived off roots and plants, and shunned any visitors he received. Anthony wished to live his life in complete solidarity with God.

The surviving historical record

The surviving biographical account of this saint is brief. It does not establish a complete chronology of childhood, family life, and daily activities. This page includes the available account rather than supplying imagined conversations or undocumented events. Where the account reports a tradition, it should be read as a tradition, not as a modern eyewitness record.