User:Bellcanada2002/sandbox

The study of cenobitics in 4th century Egypt.

The study of cenobitics begins with the study of St. Anthony and the anchorites of 4th century Egypt. The early Egyptian monks who decided to venture into the desert did so because of a calling from God and family. Who was St. Anthony? Who were his friends, allies and followers? Much of this is still a mystery. St. Anthony was more than likely a man of God from his early youth. In his early twenties he dicided to venture into the Egyptian Desert. Was there a need for him to venture into the Egyptian desert? more than likely there was a specific direction in his life and a choosing of lifestyle. Upon entering the desert many thoughts flowed through Anthony's mind. Was he supposed to be alone? Was there a need for him to follow his ascetic life? Was he trying to prove something to himself or to God or to others? Was his lifestyle choice not in any way a temptation to break a bond between himself and God? Was he not tempting God when he entered the desert? How did Anthoy pray? Anthony was the first anchorite to have decided upon a lifestyle of asceticsm. Why had he not failed? Anthony had spent a good 80 years of his life in the desert. He died when he was 105 years old (yet we cannot prove this fact). Was anthony Christian or was he not? Why had he not chosen to marry and become a farmer, when if fact he owned land upon the death of his parents. What kind of mindset was he in when he stayed in the desert and how did he nandle his hunger and thirst. Did he follow his thoughts and temptations or did his temptations take hold and allow him to survive?