Antony of Egypt, about 356. Antony was one of the earliest of the Egyptian desert fathers. He was born into a Christian family from whom he inherited a large estate. He took Jesus’ message to sell all that you have give to the poor and follow Christ, literally. After he made arrangements for the care of his sister, he gave away his inheritance and became a hermit. Later, he became the head of a group of monks that lived in a cluster of huts and devoted themselves to communal prayer, worship and manual labor. The money they earned they distributed to the poor.
Pachomius was born in Egypt about 290. During his service as a soldier he became a Christian. In 320 he began living in an area of Upper Egypt near other hermits. He organized the hermits into a religious community in which members prayed together and held their goods in common. His rule for monasteries influenced other monastic founder such as Basil and Benedict.
We would do well to be reminded that at times we need to stand apart from the surrounding culture and not conform to the world but to the mind of Christ. It might also be a time to become familiar with the Egyptian (Coptic) church. The Coptic Church has recently come under attack in Egypt as have other Christians in parts of Africa.
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