Saint Anthony
In this lecture, His Holiness Pope Shenouda III speaks about Saint Anba Antonios, the first to begin monastic life in the world, as a model contrasting the rich young man who could not fulfill Christ’s command, while Anba Antonios immediately obeyed the word of God and left everything for the sake of the Kingdom. Through this example, the Pope shows how full obedience to God becomes a path to holiness and eternal blessing, and how Egypt was the birthplace of monasticism that spread to all churches worldwide.
He also explains that Saint Antonios was not merely a solitary monk but a spiritual father for generations, the source of inspiration for all who lived in purity and renunciation, so that every monk, bishop, or pope in the world spiritually belongs to this Coptic origin.
The Pope connects this model with Saint Anba Boula, who lived a hidden life of ascetic wandering filled with heavenly glory. He stresses that the world would never have known the story of this saint if Anba Antonios had not written his history—showing the importance of preserving and transmitting spiritual heritage across generations.
Detailed Summary:
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Response to Christ’s word: While the rich young man went away sad, Saint Antonios obeyed completely, selling all he had and giving to the poor.
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A heart filled with divine love: His heart was pure and ready to receive the divine word, becoming full of heavenly love.
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Eternal spiritual fatherhood: He became the father of all monks and the founder of monasticism in Egypt, which spread worldwide.
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The spread of monasticism: Every monk, bishop, or patriarch is a spiritual child of Saint Antonios, who established this angelic path.
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Saint Anba Boula: Another young man who lived in total renunciation, hidden from people, but an example of spiritual wandering.
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Documentation and memory: The world would not have known Anba Boula’s life had Antonios not written it—showing the value of preserving spiritual heritage.
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Deep spiritual message: Quick obedience to God’s word opens the gate to holiness, and renunciation is the path to union with God; monastic life mirrors the angelic life on earth.
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