Catholic Saints St. Anthony of Egypt
10 snips
Jan 17, 2026 
Dr. Elizabeth Klein, a theology professor at the Augustine Institute and scripture scholar, dives into the life of St. Anthony of Egypt, the original hermit and a key figure among the Desert Fathers. They discuss Anthony's radical abandonment of worldly possessions after a life-changing call from Christ and his fierce battles against demonic temptations in the desert. Elizabeth shares how modern retreats echo Anthony's practices of prayer and solitude, linking his influence to saints like Augustine. The duo emphasizes lessons in trust, prayer, and self-discipline from Anthony's inspiring legacy.
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Radical Departure After Hearing The Gospel
- Anthony sold his family property and withdrew into the desert after hearing the Gospel call to give everything to the poor.
- He sought advice from other holy people before committing to a radical hermit life.
Desert Reveals The Inner Battle
- The desert exposes interior motivations and makes temptations visible by stripping away excuses.
- Father Lazarus and Elizabeth Klein note that solitude reveals that what one battles is often oneself.
Gold In The Desert As Illusion
- As Anthony walked into the desert he saw gold and treated it like an illusion, running over it as if hot coals.
- That image illustrates how his radical choice removed the power of material temptation.
