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| Sunset (The Temptation of St. Anthony) by Elihu Vedder |
“Nor was the Lord then forgetful of Antony’s wrestling, but was at hand to help him. So looking up
he saw the roof as it were opened, and a ray of light descending to him. The demons suddenly
vanished, the pain of his body straightway ceased, and the building was again whole. But Antony
feeling the help, and getting his breath again, and being freed from pain, besought the vision which
had appeared to him, saying, ‘Where were you? Why did you not appear at the beginning to make my
pains to cease?’ And a voice came to him, ‘Antony, I was here, but I waited to see you fight; since
you have endured, and did not surrender, I will always be a helper for you, and will make your name
known everywhere.’ Having heard this, Antony arose and prayed, and received such strength that he
perceived that he had more power in his body than formerly. And he was then about thirty-five years
old.”
~St. Athanasius (from The Life of St. Antony – partial re-post)
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