Monasticism began with Saint Antony in response to the commandment of the Gospel, which says, “Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me” (Mark 10:21.) When Saint Antony personally carried out this mandate and set out for the wilderness, being so sincere in his obedience, he embodied in the desert a live, human, personal entity of obedience to the commandment. This live …