Egyptian Desert

St. Anthony the Great goes to Egyptian desert - first Christian hermit, begins desert monasticism at age 20

St. Anthony's intense spiritual warfare - battles demons in tomb, establishes pattern of ascetic combat

St. Anthony emerges from 20 years solitude - disciples gather, reluctantly becomes spiritual father, founds loose hermit colonies

Death of St. Anthony at 105 - Athanasius writes Life of Anthony, spreads monastic ideal throughout Church

Desert Fathers sayings begin compilation - Apophthegmata Patrum preserves wisdom of desert elders