The Egyptian hermit St. Anthony (ca. 250-356) played a large role in the development of Christian monastic life through the influence of his widely recognized sanctity and of his biography, written by St. Athanasius of Alexandria.

Anthony (also called St. Anthony of Egypt and St. Anthony Abbot) was born and raised in a Christian family at Como in Upper Egypt. He and his sister were orphaned when Anthony was between 18 and 20 years old. Six months later, influenced by Christ's words--"If thou wouldst be perfect, go and sell that thou hast and give it to the poor; and come follow me and thou shalt have treasure in heaven" (Matthew 19:21)--Anthony gave his inheritance to the poor. He placed his sister with a group of virgins to be brought up in the holy life, and he went to live as a hermit near his native village. He sought instruction...