Desert Battles and Wonders

Picture St. Anthony, in his 20s, stepping into a dark tomb outside his village in Coma—a stone cave carved for the dead, now his new home. He told a friend, “Seal me in,” choosing solitude to pray closer to God than ever. But the devil didn’t like that. One night, as Anthony sang Psalms, demons burst in like a nightmare—wolves snarling, snakes hissing, lions roaring, scorpions snapping. They attacked him so fiercely he couldn’t move, leaving him sprawled on the cold floor. The next day, his friend found him, carried him to the village, and nursed him back to health, worried Anthony might not recover.

But Anthony wasn’t finished. As soon as he could stand, he marched back to that tomb, sealed the door, and faced the demons again. A Coptic story says he shouted, “You’re no match for God!” laughing at their growls. He prayed a Psalm, perhaps Psalm 68—“Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered!”—and a bright light blasted through, scattering the demons like smoke. Jesus’ voice whispered, “I was here, Anthony, watching you fight,” healing his wounds and filling him with courage. That tomb wasn’t just a hideout; it was where Anthony showed evil couldn’t win. Ethiopian monks still share this story to teach that God’s got your back, even in the scariest places.