ABSTRACT
But you can go too far. He decided to get married. News reached the ex-ruffian saint, who promptly wrote an indignant letter, which reached John – St Antony-to-be – just as the wedding festivities were beginning. He got the message and deliberately stepped up that night’s fun, and had laid before his friends and relations, at a late hour, a truly Syracusan banquet, with first-quality wine (οἴνου πρωτείου). He himself was drinking nothing but boiled onion juice, but had it brought to him in a purple glass, so that no one should notice. He kept the party going till the second watch, till Dionysos had knocked them all out for him.5 No bed was needed, all slept just where they lay, and he slipped out unnoticed, and made for the column of his spiritual Father, and embarked on his monastic life.
