On Tuesday, January 17th we will be celebrating the on Divine Liturgy on the feast of the Venerable and God-bearing Father Saint Anthony the Great.  Saint Anthony lived in the third century and is called the father of monasticism.   Saint Anthony wanting to follow the command of Christ " If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me." (Mat. 19:21) sold the family estate and went to live in the desert.   More information about St. Anthony can be found in The Life of St. Anthony by Athanasius and in The Sayings of the Desert Fathers. 

 Apolytikion of Saint Anthony