[Antony] denounced the Arians, saying that their heresy was the last of all and a forerunner of Antichrist. And he taught the people that the Son of God was not a created being, neither had He come into being from non-existence, but that He was the Eternal Word and Wisdom of the Essence of the Father. And therefore it was impious to say, 'there was a time when He was not,' for the Word was always co-existent with the Father. Wherefore have no fellowship with the most impious Arians. For there is no communion between light and darkness [20]. For you are good Christians, but they, when they say that the Son of the Father, the Word of God, is a created being, differ in nought from the heathen, since they worship that which is created, rather than God the creator. But believe ye that the Creation itself is angry with them because they number the Creator, the Lord of all, by whom all things came into being, with those things which were originated.
If one looks at the contemporary plagues of Mohammadeans, Zionists, and blithering christians sects, one will see that Arianism is alive and well. Dan Brown's 'DaVinci Code' is just one more grenade in the bandolier of Arianism, denying the Divinity of Jesus and calling the Apostles liars. Antony predicted this. Antony spent the better part of is life in spiritual combat against evil spirits and the fallen angel they serve, Satan. I'll take his word for it.
I've been reading ' The Eternal wisdom of the Desert Fathers' , published by Paraclete Press, and while I've just read up though Antony, I'm astonished at the love and dedication to our Lord that these men and women lived. It really shames me to compare my life to theirs, my comfort to their mortification. As much as we kvetch about loopy liturgists, Brokeback bishops, and heretical theologians, we cannot compare in our witness to those who've given up EVERYTHING for Christ. I get the same feeling when reading Bl. Teresa of Calcutta, her complete surrender to Christ, unselfish love, and gentle criticism of the rest of us slackers. Time for a wee attitude correction..
"Which of you, having a slave plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, 'Come immediately and sit down to eat'?
"But will he not say to him, 'Prepare something for me to eat, and properly clothe yourself and serve me while I eat and drink; and afterward you may eat and drink'?
"He does not thank the slave because he did the things which were commanded, does he?
"So you too, when you do all the things which are commanded you, say, 'We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done.'"
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