St. Anthony the Great (251-356 AD) was born in Egypt to wealthy parents. When he was about 18 years old, his parents died and he inherited a large fortune. He heard the reading from Matthew where Jesus tells the rich young ruler to "go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasures in heaven; and come, follow Me." (Matt 19:21) and immediately sold all he possessed. Then after fighting with Satan he went out into the desert to live a solitary life, plaiting baskets from palm leaves and praying. This account of his life was written by the great St. Athanasius, patriarch of Alexandria, who had spent time with St. Anthony.

Translated by H. Ellershaw. From Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series, Vol. 4. Edited by Philip Schaff and Henry Wace. (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1892.)

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