The Sayings of the Desert Fathers - St Anthony the great 1 #shorts #stanthonythegreat

The Sayings of the Desert Fathers - St Anthony the great
St. Anthony the Great, also known as Anthony of Egypt, was a pivotal figure among the Desert Fathers, known for his ascetic life and profound spiritual insights. Here are some key points about his sayings:

Spiritual Teachings: St. Anthony emphasized humility as a shield against the enemy's snares. He advised, "I saw the snares that the enemy spreads out over the world, and I said groaning, 'What can get through from such snares?' Then I heard a voice saying to me, 'Humility.'" This highlights the importance of humility in spiritual life.
Love Over Fear: He famously said, "I no longer fear God, but I love Him. For love casts out fear." This reflects a deep understanding of transitioning from fear-based obedience to a love-driven relationship with God.
Practical Wisdom: In his teachings, he often provided practical advice on living a virtuous life. For example, "Whoever hammers a lump of iron, first decides what he is going to make of it, a scythe, a sword, or an axe. Even so we ought to make up our minds what kind of virtue we want to forge or we labor in vain." This analogy underscores the importance of intention and purpose in spiritual labor.
Community and Solitude: St. Anthony also spoke about the balance between community life and solitude, suggesting that solitude helps in focusing on spiritual battles, while community life provides support and correction. For instance, he noted the importance of not just learning from books but from the lives of those who came before him.
Endurance and Forgiveness: His life and sayings often reflect themes of endurance in faith and forgiveness towards others. He taught that one should always take the blame for one's own sins before God and expect temptation until the last breath, emphasizing personal responsibility and vigilance.

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