Saint Anthony
Anthony lived in Egypt between 251 and 356. At twenty he became a hermit, living alone and experiencing continual temptations until 306, when he dedicated himself to the numerous disciples he had attracted. He intervened in important doctrinal questions of the Church, supported persecuted Christians, and confuted Arianism. His cult was enormously widespread during the Middle Ages. In art, he is depicted in the dress of a hermit, with a T-shaped staff, a bell, and a pig. He is invoked against ergotism, the so-called St. Anthony’s fire. PROTECTOR: Butchers, salami-makers, basket-makers, and domestic animals. NAME: Anthony is from the Roman family name Antonius.