Today's saintly drama revolves around Egypt. As in "Who will emerge victorious in the holy battle for Egyptian domination." Antony (don't call me Anthony or even Tony for that matter) of Egypt takes on Mary (you can just call me Mary) of Egypt. These two have a lot in common both being hermits and spending much spiritual energy on resisting temptation. Nonetheless, only one will seize the title "Pharaoh of Lent Madness" and make it to the Round of the Saintly Sixteen to square off against Basil the Great.
In yesterday's matchup Anna Cooper bested (upset?) Joseph of Arimathea 60% to 40% which is unfortunate since Joseph already gave away his burial plot.
And if you missed yesterday's exhilarating edition of Monday Madness click here to see Tim and Scott hold forth on all things Lent Madness. As usual it's epic and compelling with high production values.
Antony of Egypt
Antony was born in about 251 to wealthy Christian parents in Middle Egypt. When he was not yet twenty years old, his parents died and left their large estate and his young sister to his care. Shortly thereafter, Antony was convicted by Jesus’ words to the rich man to sell everything and give the money to the poor. Antony parceled out his land, giving it away to his neighbors, and sold all his family’s belongings. He gave the money to those who were poor around him, keeping a small portion to provide for him and his sister. A short while later, he heard the gospel command to not worry about tomorrow. He promptly gave away what remained of his money, put his sister in a house of virgins, and took up a life of solitude.
Antony moved to an old tomb and survived on only bread and water, never eating or drinking before sunset, and often fasting for days in between. During this time, he wrestled with demons that assaulted him for his wealth and tempted him with lustful thoughts. He was successful in his resistance, being assured in a vision from God that he had won the victory. Encouraged by this vision, Antony moved further out into the desert.
Antony lived alone for over twenty years. Although he was drawn to the life of a hermit and constantly tried to retreat further into the wilderness, he eventually acquired some renown, and pious men sought to imitate him. Eventually, a sort of monastery was formed, a community of disciples attracted to his lifestyle. The monastery of Saint Antony the Great now stands at that site.
In 311, when the emperor Maximinus began persecuting Christians, Antony went to Alexandria hoping to be martyred. He publicly wore his white habit—the sign of a Christian monastic—and visited Christians in prison and labor camps and testified on their behalf before tribunals. He did not, however, try to impugn himself. In 312, when the persecution ebbed, Antony again returned to the desert and, alone in his cell, committed to become what Saint Athanasius called “a daily martyr to his conscience, ever fighting the battles of faith.” In his old age, Antony participated in the Arian controversy alongside his friend and biographer, Bishop Athanasius. This doctrinal debate claimed that Jesus was subordinate and distinct from God. In 355, Antony was invited to Alexandria to debate the Arians, many of whom were convinced by his arguments and changed their thinking. After the debates, he returned to the desert where he died in 356 at the ripe old age of 105.
Collect for Saint Antony of Egypt
O God, by your Holy Spirit you enabled your servant Antony to withstand the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil: Give us grace, with pure hearts and minds, to follow you, the only God; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
-- David Creech
Mary of Egypt
Mary of Egypt is recognized as the patron saint of penitents. This is because of her conversion from life as a sex addict to that of a desert hermit. Her life story or Vita, reportedly first told by Mary to a monk, was later put in writing by Saint Sophronius, the Patriarch of Jerusalem (634-638).
Born in the fourth century in an unknown region of Egypt, Mary ran away to the city of Alexandria at the age of twelve. As a young woman in Alexandria, she lived a life her biographer labeled as public prostitution. Reportedly she often refused payment for sexual acts because of her insatiable desire and instead subsisted mostly by begging and handiwork. Around the age of thirty, she traveled to Jerusalem with a group of pilgrims, hoping to find new sexual partners in the crowds. There she pursued gratification of her desires for a short time. Then, her life changed when she tried to visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the place where Jesus was crucified. But she was unable to pass through the door due to an invisible force.
At this strange occurrence, Mary had an epiphany of sorts and was filled with remorse for her sexual sins. At the sight of an icon of the Virgin Mary, she prayed for forgiveness and renounced her worldly ways. Finding new freedom from her previously insatiable desires, she was able to enter the church. Inside, a voice guided her into the desert. She obeyed, journeying to the monastery of Saint John the Baptist to receive absolution and Holy Communion. Then she crossed the Jordan to live in the desert as a hermit in penitence. She is often depicted in iconography with three loaves of bread, the only food she took into the desert. Once she ate them, she lived off what she could forage in the wilderness.
She lived alone in the desert for forty-seven years, until she met a monk named Zosimus, and told him the story of her life. He agreed to bring her communion on Maundy Thursday of the following year. She appeared to him on the opposite bank of the Jordan River, made the sign of the cross, and walked across the water to receive the body and blood of Christ. She asked him to meet her again one year later, at which time he found her corpse. An inscription told him that she had died shortly after his first visit, though her body was preserved. With the help of a lion, Zosimas dug a grave and buried her. When asked if this was true, Zosimas said, “I’m not lion about any of this!”
Collect for Mary of Egypt
Almighty God, in the early life of Mary, you give us an example of how our incarnate bodies can be sources of both pleasure and destruction. Make us aware of your never-failing love and forgiveness, that we, like her, might love and serve you in body, mind, and spirit. Through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
(Collect written by Nancy Hopkins-Greene.)
Vote!
[poll id="80"]
288 comments on “Antony of Egypt vs. Mary of Egypt”
I read At some point in his life, he met with his sister again. She, too, had withdrawn from the world, and directed a community of nuns. I did a bit more research not liking the idea that Antony put her "away" - but women were property in those times and he did place her in a safe place. It was definitely a hard vote but in the end I am going with St. Antony
I am more drawn to those saints who wrestle with and live out their faith in the context of society rather than in the desert. Since Jesus did both I guess, there is something to be said for the monastic. I have to go with Mary who had a real struggle even though the story was a bit wacky. Don't like the brother who stashes his sister away to satisfy his own guilt.
I'm so glad these are not the finalists. I studied and rather enjoy the 5th-9th century Irish monastics, but I just can't warm up to the desert monastics. Antony started a monastic movement, but there is the issue of the sister and the question if any female of the time really had free choice. Then, there is Mary who encountered God and ran off to the desert to enjoy her new faith. They both seem rather self-centered, even more so upon further study. I reluctantly went with Mary as there is no evidence she inflicted her beliefs on others.
Strange. The asceticism of the Irish monastics seems to me to be as strict as much of what the desert fathers and mothers pursued, not to mention creating the penitentials, "inflicted" their beliefs on others as they traveled through Europe converting and establishing more monasteries, and collected in their interiors great wealth of goods and books (which is why they became such big targets for the Vikings.) Thank God they did though, as they preserved so many of the important texts and learnings of the past. Anyone who thinks the Irish monastics were all warm and fuzzy "Celtic" spiritualists haven't read enough primary and secondary sources! 🙂
Voting for Antony in honour of a Coptic Christian lecturer who had a significant impact on me. Also wondering if his sister might have chosen the House of Virgins instead of being dumped there. In an age where marriage was really the only option for a young women, entering a house of virgins was a radical choice for someone wanting to devote their life to God. It's a shame we don't know more about Antony's sister.
Overcoming your addictions and turning to God is a wonderful thing but I'm not quite sure how that makes you a Saint? At least Antony seemed to do something good for people in his debates and was trying to follow what he thought was Christ's word. We have no way of knowing why he put his sister in the "house of virgins" - might have been the best thing he could do for her - can't judge him on it! I'm not thrilled with either choice today but I guess my vote will be for Antony.
I agree that an effort should be made to evaluate these two through the lens if their own time, not ours. But even after doing so I find that neither if them hits the mark for for me. Worthless people? Certainly not. Saints? Ditto. No vote from me today. However, I have enjoyed the conversation!
How interesting, Anna. I think what I love about sainthood in the Anglican tradition is that it so ordinary--We can meet them at school, or in lanes, or at sea, as Hymn 293 says. In that sense, I find both of these lives rather saintly.
After singing PDQ Bach Knock-Knock Cantata, regarding transporting young gulls across a staid lion for immoral porpoises, I guess I dare not complain about Mary's body being dug up by a lion.
Mary gets my vote. I know Antony was a person of his time, and disposing of his sister would have been acceptable, but he just annoys me. Neither one strikes me as a Golden Halo candidate.
In both of these stories, I see examples of the foolishness of God vs. the wisdom of man. Neither person's actions make sense to us in our busy 21st century world. I think that's what makes this pair so difficult for us. Does it make sense for either of them to do what they did? Not on a human scale, for sure. I'm having a hard time voting, but not because it's an awful match-up. Will let this one simmer for a bit to see what comes to the surface.
I'd like to give kudoos to Adam Lees comments. I do believe one of the difficult things we do in interpreting things in the past is to judge them on our own standards. (It's frequently a problem in dealing with other cultures as well). The hermits lived alone, but not in total isolation -- how else would Antony have gained a reputation and following. I find in both an authentic sense of transformation, a true sense of repentance (metanoia). Doesn't mean they were perfect, and that every thing they did was good -- just that they had a very real experience of God through Christ, by the Holy Spirit (just to include the entire Trinity) and lived into that call as they discerned it. I think since Antony under such circumstances made it to 105 and established a still present monastic order he gets my nod.
This was a tough one for me. Both had experiences that fit well within my understanding of God and His machinations in our world for us. Both were good examples of how one might respond to God's call, once heard. But I have to go with Antony, only because of the impact of his response on the world around him. He had much, and gave it all up for the good of others. Mary also responded, and became a devoted listener to her maker, but I don't sense that she "gave" much as a result. she simply repented and became a hermit.
Oh, but Pete, "simply repented"? When truly done, it ain't a bit simple!
I don't know much about Antony's time and place and even if I did, how could I begin to understand why he made the choices he did? It seems to me that putting his sister in a "house of virgins" could just as easily have been a kindness as it could have been a slap in the face. Luckily, there is still something to be learned from his life. When I read about Anthony giving up his wealth I thought not of his time and place but of my own. I live in a time when the all world's wealth is controlled and owned by the few. My place, America is no exception. I was struck by the idea that what if just one of the world's multi-millionaires gave up his wealth to his neighbors. Or what if every American who looked at their lives from a distance and said "I have more than enough" , was inspired to simply give his excess to his neighbors. What a wonderful "what if". So I'm voting for Antony for the inspiration from his story.
I find that our intro bios are good but I cannot vote until I have done additional research on the internet to get a more complete picture of the saints. The Catholic Encyclopedia has been very helpful. - At first neither saint spoke to me, but after reading more I've found that Antony will get my vote.
I too more often than not do extra research, which is very helpful.
In this world run amuck by super-consumerism, the witness of Anthony & Mary are most needful at this time. And, it may be true, Anthony did the most loving thing he could do for his sister by placing her in a house of virgins. If the law of Lent Madness allowed, I would vote for both these saints, who followthe words of Our Lord, "go sell..give...follow."
It appears that Antony's sister was quite a bit younger than he was. By giving her to the care of the House of Virgins, he was ensuring that she would be raised in a nurturing environment, surrounded by strong, independent women as role models. She still would have been free to choose her own way in life upon reaching maturity. I say he acted in a way that was subversive of patriarchy.
How did either of them become saints? What is the criteria for becoming a saint? It seems like neither did any outwardly work (other then giving any his $$), but were both hermits and stayed away from society (for the most part - Antony did go for the year as an outward Christian and also helped with the debate). I do not get it? Anyway, Antony in his effort to ride himself of "worldly" possessions to devote himself to prayer - did take care of his sister based on the what was acceptable practice at the time (Not that I agree with it based on today's standards).
Interesting pairing here. The Celtic saints had an affinity of the desert hermits in Egypt. What Anthony dud was a true following of Jesus. Gospel. By providing for his sister he made sure she was taken care of. I do not know how 4th century Alexandria was but the a House of Virgins was probably safest place to put her under circumstances and tied into his austerity. That house might be like a boarding school today. Mary is interesting since it teaches how the gospel can chNge people. Both followed Christ's words to a total commitment. Something we can learn of in today's materialistic world.
It's hard to vote for a brother who sought fame through martyrdom at the expense of his sister. My choice is Mary, because we can all use a bit more penitence -- not just during Lent.
Thank you, Freeman Gilbert! All through the comments about Antony I was thinking, " If Antony was less than 20, how old was the sister? Might the house of virgins not have been the safest place for her? And who said she had to STAY there anyway?"
I voted for Antony because he was the first (that we know of) of the hermit monastics and I learned about him through Education for Ministry.
And aren't there paintings of him fighting off lustful demons? Not too different from Mary.
I should have said regarding Antony's sister, "Might not the house of virgins have been...." Forgive the bad grammar.
Frankly, I question the sanity of the three principles involved in the choice today , except for the lion who was probably cowardly. Antony, Mary and the sister, let's see that makes three and would qualify as a group for some therapy by modern standards.
Holding my nose and voting for Antony.
There is no evidence Antony did his sister any injustice whatever. We can know those who have recorded his story believed he did not leave his charge unprotected, but anyone who infers he dishonored her or his parents by leaving all and following the call of Christ is wrongly accusing this holy and selfless man. Excuse me, it seems some are projecting. By the way, what ever happened to St. Peter's wife?
Was her conversion and water walking of greater impact than Antony's defense of the poor and wronged? I'm just sayin'.
Interesting how the Collect for today, Tuesday in the 1st Week of Lent, calls us into the way of Christ as lived by both Anthony & Mary:
Grant to your people, Lord, grace to withstand the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil, and with pure hearts and minds to follow you, the only true God; through Jesus Christ your Son... (HWHM, pg 37)
After long thought, I'm voting for Mary because of her collect, which pairs the delightful and the destructive powers of the fleshly body.
Unfortunately I don't care for either of these candidates. I think I will abstain today and just look forward to tomorrow
I wasn't crazy about either of them. In the end I voted for Antony but what he did or did not do for his sister weighs heavily. If it's true then how selfish.
It seems to me that of the two, Antony is the only one who took any action to spread the Gospel - attempting to martyr himself and " visited Christians in prison and labor camps and testified on their behalf before tribunals." And "In his old age, Antony participated in the Arian controversy....was invited to Alexandria to debate the Arians, many of whom were convinced by his arguments and changed their thinking". This took a lot of faith and courage. While I can applaude Mary for changing her ways of the flesh, somehow it seems she was inwardly focused and her life didn't touch the lives of others. Antony gets my vote today.
I don't really care for either today. But the way Antony treated his sister ensured that Iwould not be voting for him. It's Mary by default!
I voted for Mary, but I would like to add my voice to those speaking up for Antony.
Those people who are bashing him over his sister seem to assume that she had no
say in anything that happened. But it is quite possible that Antony did consult her
and pray with her over giving away the family wealth and entering a House of Virgins.
Perhaps, inspired by her brother's example, she too found new life in Christ and agreed
to everything.
None of us would want to be condemned on mere assumption and we shouldn't do that
to Antony.
I had to vote for the patron saint of pigs: http://www.pighealth.com/reviews/tantony.htm