When his father and mother were dead, Antony went on living with his sister who was quite young. He was eighteen years old. He was responsible for the house and his sister.

    One day, about six months after the death of his parents, he went to the Lord’s house as usual. While he was walking there, he had something on his mind. He said to himself: “The Apostles gave up everything and followed the Lord; and in the book of the Acts, it is said that the first Christians sold their possessions, and they laid the money at the feet of the apostles for them to give to the poor. So they hoped to have a great reward in heaven.” Antony’s heart was full of these thoughts when he went into the church.

    It was the time for the Gospel reading. Antony heard the Lord saying to the rich young man: “If you desire to be perfect, go, sell your property, and give to the poor and follow me. Then you will have wealth in heaven.” The thought came to Antony: “These words are for me.” [Antony immediately left the church and gave to the townspeople the property …] From his parents Antony had some land, about two hundred acres. The land was rich and very fertile, and he gave it to the villagers. So he and his sister were free from that wealth. He sold all his furniture, keeping some things for his sister, and gave the money to the poor.

    On another day, Antony went into the House of God. He heard the Lord saying in the Gospel reading: “Have no care for tomorrow.” Then he could not stop there any longer; he went out and gave to the poor the money he still had. His sister he put into the care of some faithful virgins for them to see to her education. AFTER THAT HE GAVE HIMSELF TO ASCETICISM, not living in his house. He paid attention to his behavior and made himself undergo hard living [near his own house]. At that time there were not many monasteries in Egypt. The monks did not know the great desert at all. One who desired to watch his behavior did so alone near the village where he lived.

– St. Athanasius, The Life of Antony –