Venerable Anthony of Rome

Life

Born in Rome in 1086, of pious and wealthy parents. At that time the Roman Church had separated from the Eastern Church, and all who remained faithful to the Eastern Church were persecuted by the Roman clergy. Among those persecuted was Anthony. He distributed all his inherited wealth and became a monk. Standing upon a rock in the sea, he practiced asceticism for fourteen months. The rock meanwhile broke off from its base and by some wondrous providence floated upon the water all the way to Novgorod. In Novgorod the bishop Nicetas received him warmly and helped him build a church dedicated to the Holy Theotokos, where a monastery was later established. Anthony lived a long time as abbot of that monastery, and having manifested great grace-filled power through many miracles, reposed peacefully in the year 1146 and moved to the mansions of the Lord.