Antony of Egypt

The painting.

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Today is the feast day of St. Antony of Egypt. The photos are of an icon I painted of the saint in 1984. The panel has been in a Trappistine Abbey ever since. As you can see, it is not well painted - the beard is quite clumsy. Although one can clearly see by the photographs, the image was definitely painted, and not written, as those who paint icons like to say.

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Some traditions surrounding the saint and his feast day.

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Benediction of the Beasts, Church of St Anthony, Rome This ancient Christian ceremony lasted for some days. Everyone who had a horse, mule or ass, sent them to be blessed at the shrine of St Anthony near Santa Maria Maggiore. A similar custom has traditionally been observed on the same day at Madrid and many any other places.

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The beasts at Rome were blessed at St Anthony's shrine. A little holy water, was splashed on all sorts of animals. Today, on his feast day, domestic animals are cleaned and decorated and brought to churches for blessings; in Italy even cars are treated in this way. - Click here for more traditions and legends associated with St. Antony.

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As to be expected, Fr. Mark has 2 excellent posts on the saint at Vultus Christi.