The ethical attitudes of Antony the Great - Christian-Hellenistic synthesis

The article examines the ethical attitudes of the ancestor of ascetic monasticism, Anthony the Great. The anthropological views of St. Anthony, on which his ethics are based, as well as the connection of his ethics with demonology, are considered. The authors conclude that the moral teachings of Antony the Great are a productive synthesis of ancient and Christian ethics. In understanding the tripartite nature of microcosm, in identifying the spiritual sphere with the mind, and in developing an ethical corpus (asserted virtues, condemned vices, and ethical emphases) St. Anthony appears as a continuator of Hellenism (mainly Platonism, Roman Stoicism), bringing Christian innovations. Since for Antony the Great, as well as for the ancient authors, the spirit manifests itself in the mind, the spiritual practice developed by the ascetic, the activity of ethical self-improvement can be defined as a Christian version of cognitive therapy.