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.

All the judges asked him to come down from the mountain, referring to the impossibility for them to enter there with the defendants accompanying them, but in fact they only wanted Anthony to come and be able to see him. Therefore, Anthony avoided this and refused to go to them. But they insisted, and even sent the defendants forward, accompanied by soldiers, so that, though for their sake, Anthony might come down. Therefore, compelled by necessity and seeing their complaints, he went out to the outer mountain. And this work of his was not useless either; on the contrary, his coming served many for the benefit and was beneficial. And he gave useful advice to the judges to prefer the truth to everything, to fear God, and to know that by what judgment they themselves judge, they will be judged (Matt. 7:2). However, most of all he loved being in sorrow.

85) Wherefore one day, when he was strongly urged to come down from the mountain by those who were in need of him, and a certain commander of the army had long asked for this, Anthony came, and after a brief discussion about what to serve for salvation and about the needs of the needy, he hastened to go back. "As fish, remaining on dry ground for a long time, die, so the monks, slowing down with you and spending time in your company, relax. Therefore, as a fish must hasten to the sea, so we must hurry to the mountain, so that if we tarry with you, we may not forget what is within." The military commander, hearing this and many other things from him, said in amazement: "Truly he is God's servant. For how can a man of unlettered wisdom have such a great mind, if he were not loved by God?"

86) A certain military commander, named Balakius, mercilessly persecuted us Christians out of zeal for the ill-named Arians. He was so cruel that he beat the virgins, stripped them naked and punished the monks with whips. Anthony sent and wrote a letter to him in the following sense: "I see the wrath of God coming upon you. Stop persecuting Christians; otherwise, wrath will come upon you. For he is ready to smite you." Balakius, laughing, threw the letter on the ground and spat on it, and insulted those who brought it, and commanded him to say the following to Anthony: "Since you take care of the monks, I will come to you." But less than five days had passed, when the wrath of God overtook him. Balakius with Nestorius, the eparch of Egypt, set out for the first night from Alexandria, called Chaeraeus; both rode on horses belonging to Balakius, and these horses were all the tame that he kept in his possession. No sooner had they reached the place than the horses began to play with each other according to custom, and the most docile of them, on which Nestorius rode, suddenly began to bite Balakius, and gnawed his leg with his teeth so much that they immediately carried him to the city, and on the third day he died. Then everyone was surprised that Anthony's prediction was so soon fulfilled.

87) Thus did Anthony admonish hard-hearted people; others who came to him were so moved that they immediately forgot about the affairs of the courts and began to bless those who renounced worldly life. Anthony interceded for the offended with such force that one could think that it was he himself who suffered the offense, and not someone else. Moreover, to such an extent did he know how to speak for the benefit of everyone, that many of the military men and those with great wealth laid aside the burdens of life, and finally became monks. In a word, as a physician, he was given by God to Egypt. For who, if he came to him in sorrow, returned from him not rejoicing? Who, if he came to him shedding tears for the dead, did not immediately abandon his weeping? Who, if he came angry, did not change his anger into enmity? What beggar, having come to him in despondency, and having listened to him and looked at him, did not begin to despise riches and was not comforted in his poverty? What monk who gave himself over to negligence, as soon as he came to him, did not become much stronger? What young man, having come to the mountain and seen Anthony, did not immediately renounce pleasures and begin to love chastity? Who came to him tempted by a demon, and found no rest? Who came to him troubled by thoughts, and did not find silence in his mind?

88) The great fruit of Anthony's asceticism was that Anthony, as I said above, having the gift of discerning spirits, recognized their movements, and did not remain unknown to him what the zeal and striving of any spirit was. Not only was he himself not mocked by beads, but he also consoled those who were troubled by thoughts, and taught them how to overthrow their enemies, telling them about their weakness and treachery. For this reason, each one departed from him, strengthened in strength, in order to fearlessly resist the intentions of the devil and his demons. How many virgins, who already had suitors, when they saw Anthony from afar, remained virgins of Christ! They came to him from foreign lands, and together with everyone they benefited, they returned, as if parting with their father. And now, after his dormition, all, having become like orphans after their father, are consoled by the mere remembrance of him, keeping in their hearts his instructions and exhortations.

89. And what was the end of his life, it is worthy of reminding me, and of listening to you with love; for in this also he must compete. He visited the monks living on the outer mountain according to custom, and forewarned by Providence of his death, he said to the brethren thus: "This is my last visit to you; and it will be surprising if we see each other again in this life. And it is time for me to be released; for I am about a hundred and five years old." The brethren, hearing this, wept, embraced and kissed the elder.

And if you see that they are protected by judges, do not be dismayed; for their false wisdom will cease, it will be temporary and short-lived. Therefore, keep yourselves more pure from it, keep the tradition of the fathers, and preferably the pious faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, which you have learned from the Scriptures and of which I have often reminded you."