The Monastics of the Desert

A Dynamic, Transformative Movement in the Early Church

In the 200s, a spiritual movement began in the Middle East which was to have a major impact on the Church afterwards. After the worst period of Roman persecution was over, there were many Christians who sought solitude in order to give more time to their inner life. The most famous of these hermit pioneers was Antony the Great (251 – 356). He interpreted Jesus' words literally and sold everything he owned before establishing himself as a hermit far out in the Egyptian desert (the word eremos in Greek means “desert” or “wilderness,” and we derive the word “eremite” or “hermit” from it for those who live in solitude there). There he worshiped God and fought against the demons. But such ascetics as Antony were not allowed to be alone for long. They were approached by apprentices, young men and women who wanted to learn about the ascetic and contemplative life. This is how the first monastic communities that we know arose. The heritage from the desert fathers is decisively important for the church's mystical tradition.