St. Anthony the Great (also known as St. Anthony, Abbot) lived in the third century in Egypt. He traveled down to the deserts of Egypt to live the life of a hermit. This would last for many years, but eventually it became known that this very holy man was living there, and others came to him. They began living in caves in the region under Anthony’s leadership, forming the first monastery of the Church. 
    
Anthony wrote a rule for his fellow monks to live by, and became known as the Father of Monks, even up to today. Anthony’s feast day is Saturday, Jan. 17.