The desert in the Christian tradition represents a space of continuous trials on one hand, and an opportunity for the renewal of the relationship between the individual and God on the other. The departure of an ascetic into the desert can also be understood as a process where the ascetic, through physical and mental exertions, overcomes evil and strengthens faith. In Vita Antonii, one of the first and most important hagiographic works, Athanasius presents contemplative practices such as solitude, constant prayer, fasting, sleep deprivation, and discernment of thoughts, through which Saint Anthony successfully conquers demons in the desert. All his actions are directed towards prioritizing the importance of the soul over the needs of the body, as the preservation of a pure soul, as created by God, is necessary for the attainment of virtue. Athanasius also offers one of the first detailed explanations of the characteristics of demons. These entities effectively utilize their “airy” nature for deceiving the ascetic by changing forms and achieving great speed, with which they attempt to deceive the ascetic through predictions based solely on inference. When confronting them, the most important aspect is turning to God, focusing on asceticism and virtue, and completely rejecting all demons and temptations.
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