Saint Anthony the Abbot was born in 250 in Coma, on the left bank of the Nile, in Egypt. He came from a wealthy family, but immediately showed disinterest in worldly life. He did not like parties and banquets, he preferred work and meditation. This spiritual inclination was fully manifested upon the death of his parents, when he made the radical decision to distribute all his assets to the poor and retire to the desert.
Life in the desert and its death
Antonio chose to live as a hermit in an ancient tomb in the rock, here he faced numerous temptations from the devil, who appeared to him in various forms, often as wild beasts or as a pig. He responded to these trials with fasting and penance, and always emerged victorious.
Despite his desire to live in complete isolation, Anthony’s fame as an anchorite spread rapidly, forcing him to change his place of residence several times. Around 311, demonstrating a deep sense of responsibility towards the Christian community, he went to Alexandria to assist the Christians persecuted by the Emperor Maximilian. Subsequently, he retreated to Mount Qolzoum, on the Red Sea, but had to return to Alexandria to fight the Arian heresy that was spreading in the eastern regions of the empire.
Despite leading an austere life full of deprivation, Antonio lived to the extraordinary age of 105. Death overtook him on 17 January 355 in his hermitage on Mount Qolzoum. His body immediately became an object of veneration, and a church and a monastery were built on his tomb. His relics were subsequently transferred to Constantinople in 635 and then to France, where today they are venerated in the church of Saint Julian in Arles.
The Saint of the people
Over time, Saint Anthony the Abbot has become a central figure in popular devotion, particularly linked to the peasant world. He is considered the protector of animals, especially livestock, and his effigy was traditionally placed on stable doors. It is also invoked against epidemics and to ward off fires, so much so that a form of herpes is known as “shingles” or “sacred fire”.
What are the rites and traditions linked to the cult of Saint Anthony
The celebration of Sant’Antonio Abate, which falls on January 17this intertwined with ancient pagan rituals linked to natural cycles and the return of light.
The feast of Sant’Antonio Abate features rituals rich in tradition that take place throughout Italy, the churches and farms are filled with faithful for the blessing of the animals, with particular attention to pigs, the animal symbol of the saint.
The evening is the most evocative moment of the celebrations, in numerous Italian regions, the squares and countryside are lit up with large bonfires, these fires are not simple folkloristic manifestations, but represent a profound symbolic meaning: the flames purify and mark the abandonment of the passed for the beginning of a new cycle.
Abruzzo maintains one of the most spectacular traditions, in this region communities organize processions where participants wear traditional nineteenth-century clothes. The streets of the villages are transformed into a journey through time, among period costumes and ancient rituals. The fire rites and processions create a unique atmosphere that blends together sacred and profane elements, evidence of how this festival represents a bridge between official religiosity and the most ancient popular traditions.
The legend of the talking animals
A suggestive Venetian legend tells that on the night of January 17th animals acquire the gift of speech. According to tradition, it is advisable to stay away from the stables during this night, as listening to the conversations of the animals is not considered a good omen.
The monastic legacy
The order of the Antonians, approved by Pope Urban II, arose in France and dedicated itself to the care of the sick. The monks of this order stood out for their work in assisting the suffering, using products derived from pig farming to prepare remedies and healing ointments. This practice helped consolidate the association between the saint and animals, particularly the pig, which became one of his most recognizable symbols in Christian iconography.