St. Antony finding himself troubled by many decided to move to Thebaid but an inner voice directed him to the inner desert with the help of some traveling Saracens. After a journey of three days and three nights he came to a high mountain. At its foot was a clear spring of water surrounded by a few uncared for palm trees. Here he decided to stay. He lived in a cave in the mountain and in order to support himself farmed a small plot of land at its foot. Some animals who came for water damaged his crops, so gently getting hold of one said, " 'Why do you hurt me, when I hurt none of you? Depart, and in the name of the Lord come not nigh this spot.' And from that time forward, as though fearful of his command, they no more came near the place."

St. Antony spent his time in the inner mountain in prayer and discipline. People came to see him and to be healed. Most of the times he would heal by prayer rather than command to make the people understand that it was the Lord who was healing not Antony. One day Archelaus the Count came to him asking for prayer for Polycratia of Laodicea, a Christian maiden who was suffering in her stomach and side over much discipline. Antony prayed and a Count noted the day and hour. Having returned to Laodicea he found the maiden healed and verified that it happened when St. Antony had prayed for her.

One day the Aryan began to say that Antony's opinions were the same as theirs. Antony was summoned by the Bishops to Alexandria where he denounced the Aryans "saying that their heresy was the last of all and a forerunner of the Antichrist. He taught the people that the Son of God was not a created being, neither had He come into being from non-existence, but that He was the Eternal Word and wisdom of the Father."

Another time learned Greeks came seeking to dispute belief in Christ. After listening to them among the things he said as follows: "'Which is better, to say that the Word of God was not changed, but, being the same, He took a human body for the salvation and well-being of man, that having shared in human birth He might make man partake in the divine and spiritual nature; or to liken the divine to senseless animals and consequently to worship four-footed beasts, creeping things and the likenesses of men? For these things, are the objects of reverence of you wise men.'" And these Greek philosopher were astonished at his understanding for a man who was not learned in letters.

St. Antony's fame spread far and wide. Even Constantine Augustus and his sons wrote to him. At first he was not inclined to answer but than decided to counsel them on things pertaining to salvation. He wrote them "'not to think much of the present, but rather to remember the judgment that is coming, and to know that Christ alone was the true and Eternal King.' He begged them to be merciful and to give heed to justice and the poor. And they having received the answer rejoiced. Thus he was dear to all, and all desired to consider him as a father."

St. Antony had reached the age of 105 and felt death approaching. Aware that the Egyptians had the unholy custom of keeping the bodies of holy person in their houses, he told two of his monks "Bury my body...and hide it underground yourselves, and let my words be observed by you that no one may know the place but you alone." His last words were "Antony is departing, and is with you no more."

This was the year 355 AD

This is St. Antony's monastery founded in 356 AD, just after his death and is one of the oldest monasteries in Egypt.

Today it is a self contained village.

The cave where St. Antony had lived as a hermit is 2km hike from the monastery at 2,231 feet above the Red Sea.

The Celts