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Today Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates the Commemoration of St. Anton the Hermit. As Panorama.am reports referring to Qahana.am, St. Anton the Hermit is the founder of ascetic and monastic life. He was born in Koma village, Egypt, in 251, in a noble family. After his parents’ death Anton inherited their wealth. Once in the church he listened the evangelical commandment, in which Jesus says: “If you want to be perfect, go and sell all you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have riches in heaven; then come and follow me.” (Mt 19:21).

Being led by this commandment, Anton sold all of his property and lived in the spirit of praying, fasting and doing charity. After some time he left his native village and began to live in a cave, where according the hagiographers he struggled against the demons and devils who constantly appeared to him in the appearance of wild beasts. Patiently facing all temptations the saint left for a desert and lived there in a complete isolation for 20 years.

Becoming aware of his ascetic and secluded life, many people left their houses to live an ascetic life in the desert. Upon the request of his spiritual brothers St. Anton came out of his cave and explained the assembled people monastic cannons and rules, which later became the guideline for monastic life. The saint passed away at the age of 105.

Armenian Apostolic Church underscores the hermits and has several holidays in their commemoration.