Renewal in Christ: Athanasius on the Christian Life

142

Renewal in Christ: Athanasius on the Christian Life

ours. What are you even doing in the desert? You cannot stand our attack.” So at first those outside thought there were somemen fighting with him, and that they had entered by ladders; but when stooping down they saw through a hole there was nobody, they were afraid, deciding they were demons, and they called on Antony. He quickly heard them, though he had not given a thought to the demons, and coming to the door he asked them to leave and not to be afraid, “Because,” he said, “the demons make their seeming onslaughts against those who are cowardly. Sign yourselves therefore with the cross, and leave boldly, and let these entertain themselves.” So they left fortified with the sign of the cross. But he remained in no way harmed by the evil spirits, nor was he wearied with the contest, for there came to his aid visions from above, and the weakness of the foe relieved him of much trouble and armed him with greater zeal. For his friends used often to come expecting to find him dead, and would hear him singing, “God shall arise, his enemies shall be scattered; and those who hate him shall flee before him! As smoke is driven away, so you shall drive them away; as wax melts before fire, so the wicked shall perish before God!” (Ps 68:1–2), and again, “All nations surrounded me; in the name of the Lord, I cut them off!” (Ps 118:10).

§14 – After Twenty Years of Solitude, Antony Ministers to Many

And so for nearly twenty years he continued training himself in solitude, never going forth, and but seldom seen by any. After this, when many were eager and wishful to imitate his discipline, and his friends came and began to cast down and tear off the door by force, Antony, as from a