Anthony of Egypt

Anthony of Egypt

Signs of the Times: The world was beginning a new kind of Christianity. The Christians attempted to follow Jesus by becoming hermits. Was also known as Monasticism.

Personalities: Anthony had no parents and had his sister to raise. He lived on a farm. He wanted to do as Jesus said. He went into hermitage. People did not accept his silence and were loud near him. He was drawn to the Egyptian wilderness on a mountain in the desert.

Situations: When his parents died, he had to raise his sister alone. The gospel readings.

Reactions: His situations made him think about the Gospel. He changed and became a hermit. He adapted to a life of silence and living by himself.

Outcomes: He found himself one with God. He found he brought others to be one with God. He was happy alone and silent.

Basil

The signs of the times: Monks became obsessed with their practice of Monastic life. Practiced very harshly on freeing demons.

Personalities: Basil was a fourth century monk and Bishop. He was a former teacher who became a hermit in Cappadocia. He realized that their path to God had nothing to do with excesses and harsh practices.

Situations: He realized harsh practices didn’t lead to anything and after a few years of teaching he decided to be a hermit.

Reactions: Some monks came along with him. He started his own religious community. They adapted a simple life along with Basil.

Outcomes: He brought community work, working outside the monasteries. He wrote the first Monastic rule. Brought people to see that the way to seek God is through prayer and silence. He also brought the later monks to study which was different from the earlier monks.

Jerome

The signs of the times: Living in a pagan family in Italy, more people becoming Christian, and Latin being the main language in the west. Also, Monasticism influenced the arts, music, scholarship, architecture, and agricultural methods.

Personalities: Jerome became a pagan, and was educated in Latin and Greek. He baptized a Christian at 18. He translated and taught the Bible in Latin so more people could understand and become involved. He became a hermit.

Situations: His mothers conversion, his great knowledge in foreign languages and his studies.

Reactions: Jerome made it easier for people to understand the Bible. People became more involved and were more interested in Jerome and what he had to teach.

Outcomes: Jerome was happy that he could teach people, and everyone was grateful for his knowledge. More people understood the Word of God.

Ambrose

The signs of the times: Many people were going into the desert to find their “right heart”. Christian Identity.

Personalities: Ambrose was governor of Milan. He was wanted for Bishop when he wasn’t even Christian at the time. He was scared that he was not fit for a spiritual leader. Ambrose was out to find the right belief and he studied numerous books.

Situations: His military leadership, the people choosing him for Bishop and his teaching as a pastor.

Reactions: The people supported him and listened to his sermons. They let him teach them.

Outcomes: He became a Christian. He converted Augustine, and he brought order back to the Christian community.