Denomination: Orthodox Church
In the city of Lagos, Nigeria of West Africa is situated a small preparatory institution of the Orthodox Archdiocese of Nigeria, Niger, Benin, and Togo.
This institution is a preparatory seminary named after Saint Anthony the Great of Egypt. This seminary has produced the majority of the priests of our Archdiocese who have in turn taken Orthodoxy to the various communities in Nigeria.
The striking thing about this institution of Saint Anthony, Iddo-Lagos is that it is owned by a missionary diocese that is still grappling with a lot of challenges; socio-economic and spiritual.
But just like the Patron Saint of our Alma Mater, however, we have remained resolute not to succumb to the challenges and cares of the world which we find ourselves in.
To all the products of this wonderful institution and to all Christians, what lessons can we learn from the life of Saint Anthony the Great?
Saint Anthony was selfless: We should learn to share whatever wealth or talent that we have with others just the same way he shared all his wealth to others in order to be free to search for everlasting Kingdom. No price is too high to pay for God’s eternal kingdom.
He Never let down his guard: We must ever be vigilant of the cunning ways of the devil in trying to make us regret being Christians and priests. The demons were constantly reminding Saint Anthony of how better off he would have been with all his wealth rather than suffering as a monk.
He faced tortures from the Demons but never deferred to the demons because he was constantly praying and lived a prayerful life, at the end he won the crown of glory.
Likewise we priests, if we endure the hardships, the constant buffettings from the world, we will inherit God’s kingdom.
Saint Anthony had great respect for the clergy and the Church leaders. This he demonstrated when he visited the teeming city to denounce the Arians who lied that he supported them in the presence of the people and hierarchs.
He proclaimed clearly his faith in the divinity of the son and word of God, his adherence to the doctrine of the council of Nicea, and his unfailing support of Saint Athanasius.
As priests and Christians, we should be ready like the patron saint of our seminary to travel whatever length to promote and uphold the truth of the Church as espoused by the Church hierarchs.
Submission to Church authority and teachings is paramount as exemplified by our father Anthony.
May God through the prayer of our Patron Saint Anthony the Great have mercy on us and save us, Amen.
By Fr. Nefon Hule
This institution is a preparatory seminary named after Saint Anthony the Great of Egypt. This seminary has produced the majority of the priests of our Archdiocese who have in turn taken Orthodoxy to the various communities in Nigeria.
The striking thing about this institution of Saint Anthony, Iddo-Lagos is that it is owned by a missionary diocese that is still grappling with a lot of challenges; socio-economic and spiritual.
But just like the Patron Saint of our Alma Mater, however, we have remained resolute not to succumb to the challenges and cares of the world which we find ourselves in.
To all the products of this wonderful institution and to all Christians, what lessons can we learn from the life of Saint Anthony the Great?
Saint Anthony was selfless: We should learn to share whatever wealth or talent that we have with others just the same way he shared all his wealth to others in order to be free to search for everlasting Kingdom. No price is too high to pay for God’s eternal kingdom.
He Never let down his guard: We must ever be vigilant of the cunning ways of the devil in trying to make us regret being Christians and priests. The demons were constantly reminding Saint Anthony of how better off he would have been with all his wealth rather than suffering as a monk.
He faced tortures from the Demons but never deferred to the demons because he was constantly praying and lived a prayerful life, at the end he won the crown of glory.
Likewise we priests, if we endure the hardships, the constant buffettings from the world, we will inherit God’s kingdom.
Saint Anthony had great respect for the clergy and the Church leaders. This he demonstrated when he visited the teeming city to denounce the Arians who lied that he supported them in the presence of the people and hierarchs.
He proclaimed clearly his faith in the divinity of the son and word of God, his adherence to the doctrine of the council of Nicea, and his unfailing support of Saint Athanasius.
As priests and Christians, we should be ready like the patron saint of our seminary to travel whatever length to promote and uphold the truth of the Church as espoused by the Church hierarchs.
Submission to Church authority and teachings is paramount as exemplified by our father Anthony.
May God through the prayer of our Patron Saint Anthony the Great have mercy on us and save us, Amen.
By Fr. Nefon Hule
