73) When others like these philosophers met him on the outer mountain, and thought to ridicule him for not learning to read and write; then Anthony asks them: "How do you say: which is more primary, the mind, or the writing? And what is the cause of what: the mind of the writings, or the writing of the mind?" And since they answered, The mind is primordial, and it is the inventor of writing; then Anthony said: "Therefore, he who has a sound mind does not need writing." This answer amazed both the philosophers and all those who were present; and they departed, marveling that they had found such insight in an unlearned man. For Anthony did not have a coarse disposition, like one who grew up and grew old on the mountain, but on the contrary, he was pleasant and courteous. His word was dissolved by the Divine salt; therefore, no one hated him, yet all who came to him rejoiced over him.

74) And indeed, when after this several other pagans, revered as wise men, came to him and demanded of him a word about our faith in Christ, they had the intention to enter into a discussion about the preaching of the Divine Cross in order to laugh; then Anthony, after a short silence and at first regretting their ignorance, said to them through an interpreter who faithfully relayed his words: "What is better, to confess the cross, or to attribute fornication and childbearing to the so-called gods among you? What we preach is a proof of courage and a sign of contempt for death; and what you teach is infected with lewdness. Moreover, what is better: to say that the Word of God has not changed, and, remaining one and the same, for the benefit of men and for their salvation, has taken upon Himself a human body, in order that, having partaken of human existence, He may make men partakers of the Divine and spiritual nature, or that the Divinity may be likened to the dumb, and therefore to honor four-footed animals, reptiles, and human images? And such are the honors of your sages! How dare you laugh at us, who say that Christ was a man, when you yourselves, bringing the soul down from heaven, assert that it wanders and falls from the firmament into the body? And let it still descend only into the human body, and not pass and transmigrate into four-legged and reptiles! Our faith speaks of the coming of Christ for the salvation of man; but you are in error, because you talk about the unborn soul. We talk about the omnipotence and love of Providence, because this is not impossible for God; but you, calling the soul the image of the Mind, attribute to it falls, and superstitiously say that it is perverse, and finally, because of the vicissitudes of the soul, you admit that the Mind itself is perverted. For as the image is, so must be the one whose image it is. Since you think of the Mind in this way, consider whether you do not thereby blaspheme Him Who is the father of the Mind."

75) "And if we speak of the cross, what do you consider to be better: to endure the cross through the wickedness of evil people and not to be terrified of any kind of death, or to compose fables about the wanderings of Osiris and Isis, about the intrigues of Typhon, about the flight of Cronus, about the swallowing up of children, and about parricides? For these are your wisdoms. Why, then, when you laugh at the cross, are you not amazed at the resurrection? For those who have said one thing have also written another. Or why, when you mention the cross, do you keep silent about the resurrected dead, about the blind who have recovered their sight, about the paralytic healed, about the lepers who have been cleansed, about walking on the sea, and about other signs and wonders that show that Christ is not a man, but God? It seems to me that you are very unjust to yourselves, and have not read our Scriptures with sincere disposition. Read it, and you will see: the works done by Christ prove that He is God, Who has come for the salvation of men."

76) "Tell us your teaching. What can you say about the dumb, except that they are foolish and fierce? If, as I hear, you intend to assert that all this is said by you in a flowing way, and that the abduction of the virgin is an allegory about the earth, and the lame Hephaestus about fire, Hera about the air, Apollo about the sun, Artemis about the moon, Poseidon about the sea, then you do not honor God Himself, but instead of the God who created all things, serve the creature. For if you have composed such fables, for the reason that the creature is beautiful; then it was necessary to marvel only at creatures, and not to worship them, so as not to give the honor due to the Creator to creatures. Otherwise, you should give the honor that belongs to the architect to the house he has built, or the honor that belongs to the commander should be given to the soldier. What can you say to this, from which could we know whether the cross really has something worthy of ridicule in it?"

77) Since they were perplexed and turned here and there, Anthony, smiling, said through the interpreter: "Although at first glance it is self-evident; nevertheless, since you rely more on the proof of reason, and, possessing this art, demand that our piety also be not without proofs from reason; then tell me first of all: how is accurate knowledge of things, and above all knowledge of God, acquired, whether by means of proofs from reason, or by the efficacy of faith? And which is more primary, is it efficacious faith, or is it rational proof?" then said Antony: "Well do you speak. Faith comes from the disposition of the soul, and dialectics from the art of its compilers. Therefore, in whom there is the efficacy of faith, proofs from reason are not necessary, but rather superfluous. For what we understand by faith, you try to affirm from reason, and often you are not able to express in words what we understand clearly; and therefore, the efficacy of faith is better and firmer than your wise conclusions."

78) "Thus, among us Christians, the mystery of the knowledge of God is not in the wisdom of pagan speculations, but in the power of faith given to us by God by Jesus Christ. And my word is true; for now we, not having learned the letters, believe in God, knowing His providence from the creatures. And our faith is active; for now we are strengthened in faith in Christ, and you in wise disputations, and your idols no longer work miracles, but our faith spreads everywhere; and you, by your reasoning and your wisdom, do not convert anyone from Christianity to paganism, but we, teaching faith in Christ, turn people away from your superstition, because everyone recognizes Christ as God and the Son of God; by your eloquence you cannot put obstacles in the way of the teaching of Christ, but in the name of Christ crucified we drive out all the demons, whom you fear as gods; and where there is the sign of the cross, there sorcery is exhausted, magic is ineffective."

79)

And your faith, praised and glorified, perishes; and the Christian faith and the teaching of Christ, which you ridicule and are often persecuted by kings, have filled the world. For when did the knowledge of God grasp it in this way? Or when did the chastity and virtue of virginity appear in such power? And when did people begin to despise death to such an extent? Is it not from the time of the cross of Christ? Will anyone doubt this, seeing the martyrs who despise death for Christ's sake, seeing the virgins of the Church, who for Christ's sake preserve their bodies pure and undefiled?"

80) "And these arguments are sufficient to prove that the faith of Christ is the only true godliness. Until now, you have no faith in you, who seek proofs from reason. And we, as our teacher said, do not seek proofs in words contrary to pagan wisdom (1 Corinthians 2:4), but clearly convince by faith, which precedes the construction of reason. Here too are those who suffer from demons (among those who came to Anthony were those tormented by demons). And Anthony, leading them into the middle, said: "Either by your reasoning and by any skill and sorcery, having called upon your idols, cast out demons from them, or, if you are not able, cease to dispute with us, and you will see the power of the cross of Christ." Having said this, he invoked the name of Christ, and for the second and third time he sealed the suffering with the sign of the cross, and suddenly they were delivered from their sufferings, became sound in mind, and finally gave thanks to the Lord. And the so-called philosophers were amazed and truly amazed, seeing both the prudence of Anthony and the miracle performed by him. Anthony said to them: "Why are you amazed at this? We do not do this, but Christ does this through those who believe in Him. Therefore you also believe; then you will see that we do not have the art of mastering the word, but faith, which is strong through active love for Christ. If you also had this faith, you would not seek proofs from reason, but would consider faith in Christ sufficient for you." Thus spoke Anthony. And they departed in amazement, kissing Anthony and confessing that they had benefited from him.

81) The rumor about Anthony reached the kings as well. Constantine Augustus and his sons Constantius and Constans Augustus wrote to him as to a father, and wished to receive an answer from him. But for Anthony the Royal letters were of little importance, he did not admire these epistles, but remained the same as he had been before the Tsars had written to him. And when these epistles were brought to him, he summoned the monks and said: "Do not be amazed if the King writes to us, for he is also a man; but marvel rather that God wrote the law to men, and spoke to them through His own Son." Therefore, he thought not to accept letters, saying: "I do not know how to answer such writings.

And they gladly accepted the answer. Thus he was loved by all; so everyone wanted to have him as a father.

82) Having already become so famous, and after giving such answers to those who came, he again returned to the inner mountain and spent his time in his usual exploits. Often, sitting or walking with those who came to him, he was terrified, as it is written about Daniel (Dan. 4:16), and, after some time, he continued his conversation with the brethren who were with him. And they guessed that Anthony had had some kind of vision. For often, while he was in grief, he saw what was happening in Egypt, and he related it to Bishop Serapion, who was then with Anthony and noted that Anthony had a vision. Once, sitting and doing needlework, Anthony came as if in rapture, and during the vision he sighed greatly. Then, after a while, turning to those who were with him, he sighed, and trembling with all his body, he began to pray, kneeling, and remained in this position for a long time. Stand up, the elder began to weep. Therefore, those who were with him, trembling and terrified, expressed a desire to know his vision, and for a long time troubled him with requests, until they forced him to speak. And sighing mightily, he said: "It is better, children, to die before the vision is fulfilled." then, shedding tears, he said: "Wrath will come upon the Church, it will be given over to people who are like dumb cattle. For I saw the table of the temple of the Lord, and around it standing from everywhere the Mosks, who were kicking at it, as cattle leaping and kicking disorderly usually do. Surely you noticed, he continued, how I sighed; for I heard a voice saying, "My altar shall be defiled." Such a vision came to the elder. And two years later, the present invasion of the Arians and the plundering of churches were revealed to us, when the Arians, forcibly stealing church utensils, forced the pagans to carry them, when the pagans were forced to leave their work and go to the Arian assemblies, where, in the presence of the pagans, they did what they wanted at the holy tables. It was then that we all understood that by kicking the Mosks had been foretold to Anthony precisely what the Arians now do unwisely like cattle. After Anthony had had this vision, he consoled those who were with him, saying: "Do not lose heart, children: as the Lord was angry, so heal again. And the Church will soon again receive her splendor and her usual luminosity. Then you will see that the persecuted will be raised, wickedness will again withdraw into its holes, and the godly faith will be proclaimed everywhere with all freedom. Do not defile only yourselves with the Arians; for this teaching is not apostolic, but demonic, originating from their father the devil and, better said, is just as fruitless, unreasonable, devoid of right meaning as dumb mskies."

(83) Such are the deeds of Antony, and we should not be led into disbelief by the fact that so many miracles have been wrought by man. For the Saviour made a promise, saying: "If ye have faith as a grain of corn, ye say unto this mountain, Pass away from thence, and it shall pass away, and nothing shall be possible unto you" (Matt. 17:20); and again, Amen, amen, I say unto you, if ye ask of the Father in my name, he shall give it unto you. Ask and ask (John 16:23, 24). The Lord Himself says to His disciples and to all those who believe in Him: heal the sick, cast out demons: if you receive it, you will give it to you (Matt. 10:8).

84) Anthony healed not with a commanding word, but with prayer and invocation of the name of Christ, wishing to make it clear to everyone that it was not he who did this, but the Lord through Anthony revealed His love for mankind and healed the suffering; To Anthony belong only prayer and asceticism, for the sake of which, being in grief, he was consoled by Divine visions. He grieved that many disturbed him and forced him to leave the mountain.