The Last Anchorite part1

From Remigiusz Sowa best Documentary Transmitter Award winner at the Crystal Palace International Film Festival; a truly remarkable story of Father Lazarus El Anthony, university lecturer, Marxist who abandoned his life in Australia and went in search of God and freedom. His pilgrimage eventually brought him to a life of a Christian Coptic monk and live in solitude on the Al-Qalzam Mountain (Egypt) in the pursuit of what the Desert Fathers called apatheia, holy stillness.

[@victoriahoward7059]

I am a Roman Catholic anchorite, who lives mostly in solitude and who is about to make a living as a professor, headmaster and network manager at Corllins University. I designed the curricula and wrote all the texts. Soon I will write an autobiography of what led me to become an anchorite fourteen years ago. Thank you for posting Father Lazarus here! Many blessings!

[@pablodee9024]

I spent some months in a Carthusian Monastery. If you know the life of Carthusians, you know it’s filled with almost always complete silence and solitude. I hope all can experience this kind of desert life for a month or more, alone with Jesus Christ, alone with the Trinity, and all of heaven. Truly your friends are no longer anyone on earth. You are then closely accompanied by God’s saints and angels in heaven. Like Fr Lazarus said...heaven starts to completely open up. God bless all who are called to this lifelong. It is a real battle ground however.

[@anthonylangford8575]

Same here, spent a few months as a Carthusian aspirant at St Hugh's Charterhouse in England.

[@doctorhoward5917]

I gave up everything for Jesus. even friends and family. I am His constant companion in the Eucharist. I play music for Him all day. That is the main way I worship. And yes, I am an anchorite.

[@BBlueu2]

Thank you! God Bless :)

[@KimoLovesJesusLoves]

Oh JESUS PROTECT THE COPTS

[@jastootie]

Some of my friends visited the Monastery of Saint Anthony and tried to visit him. The monks told them that if anyone tries to climb the mountain to meet him, he throws rocks at them because he doesn't want all the attention, fame and earthly glory. But a few of my friends actually got to meet him. He's very nice.

[@makidtrej]

I'm a roman catholic, i however knew since ayoung age about the Desert Fathers and some anachorites monks that are venerated in both churches. I have always admired them and i get a very weird questions (don't know if someone else has been sked this for having a special devotion to these saints)because of it like : "Do you hate humankind? Why do you admire them?" or "Why did they hated humanity? There is no other reason for them to go out to desert and die as a hermit". I really don't know what to anwer them. I have no words after it they baffle me!

[@vriley1944]

makidtrej, I believe that the Desert fathers, monks, anachorites, Trappists--even Franciscans--go past the distractions and snares to the Great Lover, because no one wants less than to be with one's Beloved totally, forever...If I spend more time with a child who has special needs, that does not mean that I hate my neurotypical children.

[@Ibbygirl19]

How can they be accused of hating mankind when they spend all their time praying for the salvation of the world?

[@evadan100]

+makidtrej Their prayers really have a good effect on our world, even from a distance.

[@aahlstrom93]

I'd just tell them they're following their own interpretation of Matthew 19:21 - "Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me."

[@marsauQuebec]

one of the best videos i ever seen ... God bless you all, it came to me at a time i need somthing like this .... i watched it several times ... please could you continue doing videos like this ?

[@maggijude]

Plenty of people live a solitary religious life. Just not in the Desert. Not for everyone of course, but this is not the only way.

[@cvgashenoud]

You may visit this Monastary at anytime you want. I am a coptic Orthodox myself let me give you this advise, always focus on God only, listen to what Father Lazarus says and learn something good but be careful from focusing on Father Lazarus insteading of focusing on our lord Jesus Christ!

[@beshostar2006]

Give Us This Change, LORD plz

[@ksgurgui]

Great Work

[@railenmiles]

@skanick82 Monasticism is still alive? Which one? Tertullian's one?

[@MeriamGeorge77]

BEAUTIFUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUL

[@missionaryhollywood]

I'm training to be a missionary at the moment but my wife has this crazy idea that I can not and will not die before her. So if it happens like she say 'it has to' I will become a monk within the Orthodox Church

[@jellywafleproduction]

I believe it is the nae or nay. It's like an Egyptian flute.

[@BBlueu2]

Can anyone tell me what wind instrument this is at 2:41? It's so beautiful! God bless all!

[@adepttransmogrifier7211]

Sounds like a duduk, of course that may be erroneous.

[@BBlueu2]

@janhough We're all called to different walks of lives in the Body of Christ. It's not either or, but both. In Orthodoxy, the answer to most questions that divide so many Roman Catholics and Protestants, is usually the answer that is somewhere in between. We even see this throughout the entire Bible. What matters is we do God's will on this earth, and strive to draw closer to him in any place or situation we are put in.

[@cherinighobrial]

I'm not sure how to spell it but its called the NAY. Its an egyptian wind instrument

[@ruzickaw]

Jesús spent only 40 days in the desert and why? No because he really did it, but yje gospel writers wrote it to copy the 40 years of the Jews in the desert and Moses' 40 days on the Sinai. John the Baptist was sourounded every day by people who came to him to be baptiesed, so he was not alone. And people left him food. Living in the desert becomes a habit. After some time you dont want to see any people anymore. One gets obsessed with ones solitude.

[@pablodee9024]

ruzickaw No. In truth, Jesus really did spend 40 days in the desert.

[@EMantraOfficial1]

a hermit sanctuary - kzbin.info/www/bejne/pV67pamln7eKgtk

[@adelbawad]

It's called coptic tasbeha and you may find some on alhan.org

[@sodr2]

@szemszeliszemesz Alithos anisti

[@ruzickaw]

These monks are not following the life of Christ , only their own. Christ did not hide in the desert, he was living among the people, in the market place. He was also. sourrounded by women. To live only "a life of prayer" is a very subtle egotism. If you cannot find God in the market place, how can you find God in the desert? It can only be you mind made God. Isn´t God everywhere?

[@ruzickaw]

the desire to believe is the stuff which keeps religions alive. But this desire has nothing to do with the truth

[@ruzickaw]

these monks fight imaginary enemies wich are only in their minds, seeing Satan everywhere. Living a normal live one does not have his problem. - Nobody has to pray for me. Why? Because prayers are useless, they are only a selfdeception. Faith does not come through desire but through experience and insight.

[@Yaqubsalama]

you sound like a devil who want to drive people from their faith, may God have mercy on your soul and you repent from your devilish act

[@emadzaky1748]

greaaaat moviee !! great director great story

[@OrthodoxCatechumen]

Forgive me but the monastics fight the spiritual battle that we of the world cannot even fathom the dimensions of. And they pray for us. Doubt is inevitable to all but faith comes only to those who continuously desire it.

[@lucancherby]

Just stumble on this video.Great contrast between the hustling and bustling of big city life and the life in a monastery.The quality of the image is phenomenal.What a pathetic life we live , always chasing a dollar and doing the worst things in the process.If everyone of us spent their life studying like those guys we would eliminate violence,war,irrational behaviour,greed,ignorance in a matter of a few generations.But no,we keep chasing the dollar and once we have one we want another one ect...

[@theodrethecoptic2]

amazing video i am a copt monstacism is the coptic gift to the world may the blessings of saint antony and saint makarious be with all the christians in the world

[@augustussohn893]

I have watched this too many times to count. I really like it. I have a question: Where can I find the soundtrack used?

[@OrthodoxCatechumen]

the desire itself is not truth - it is only the beginning of the journey to truth. without desiring to believe in God one will not even begin the journey to faith; hence the very desire to believe is a critical aspect of faith

[@lmgtech]

revival of Coptic language is very important.please someone help to restore glory of Coptic language

[@Knockturnall1]

God bless these brave man who give up earthly materialism in exchange for their salvation and to seek God realization. It's sad to see the horrific situation in the middle east. Hare Krishna. :)

[@KimoLovesJesusLoves]

@FineArtCritics It was a reading from The Psalm not a hymn really...Orthodox in general like to usually read in that way.

[@axelbatalha2830]

But wasn't John the Baptist an anchorite? And the prophets of the Old Testament, weren't they also anchorites? And didn't Jesus spend 40 days in the desert? Living in the desert is equally hard because nowhere you can hide from yourself.

[@pablodee9024]

Axel Batalha The desert life is the battle of the heart.

[@BBlueu2]

Christ mission on Earth didn't allow him to live a long life, and he had to accomplish the destruction of Sin. Even John the Baptist lived as seen in this video, and yes people came to HIM, not the other way around. There's nothing in life more powerful or important than prayer - stop spreading lies against Christ. Nothing is more important than pure dedication to praise of God. The Church is composed of people with all different duties, not only missions.

[@Noosa1978]

God is great and has done many miracles.

[@zenenmusique]

I just love it! Fortunetly, YOU exist to make show people and make them understand about it! I thank you so much! You have a real taste to make films of plenty pictures, every seizure gives the feeling of place atmosphere!

[@lorrybalboa94]

Very nice documentary :) God bless all those you put effort in to make it

[@عبدالرحمنالبداوي-ب2د]

اعوذ بالله من الشيطان الرجيم 27ثُمَّ قَفَّيْنَا عَلَىٰ آثَارِهِم بِرُسُلِنَا وَقَفَّيْنَا بِعِيسَى ابْنِ مَرْيَمَ وَآتَيْنَاهُ الْإِنجِيلَ وَجَعَلْنَا فِي قُلُوبِ الَّذِينَ اتَّبَعُوهُ رَأْفَةً وَرَحْمَةً وَرَهْبَانِيَّةً ابْتَدَعُوهَا مَا كَتَبْنَاهَا عَلَيْهِمْ إِلَّا ابْتِغَاءَ رِضْوَانِ اللَّهِ فَمَا رَعَوْهَا حَقَّ رِعَايَتِهَا ۖ فَآتَيْنَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مِنْهُمْ أَجْرَهُمْ ۖ وَكَثِيرٌ مِّنْهُمْ فَاسِقُونَ ( 25 ) We have already sent Our messengers with clear evidences and sent down with them the Scripture and the balance that the people may maintain [their affairs] in justice. And We sent down iron, wherein is great military might and benefits for the people, and so that Allah may make evident those who support Him and His messengers unseen. Indeed, Allah is Powerful and Exalted in Might. ( 26 ) And We have already sent Noah and Abraham and placed in their descendants prophethood and scripture; and among them is he who is guided, but many of them are defiantly disobedient. ( 27 ) Then We sent following their footsteps Our messengers and followed [them] with Jesus, the son of Mary, and gave him the Gospel. And We placed in the hearts of those who followed him compassion and mercy and monasticism, which they innovated; We did not prescribe it for them except [that they did so] seeking the approval of Allah. But they did not observe it with due observance. So We gave the ones who believed among them their reward, but many of them are defiantly disobedient. When you pray as a Muslim, you will see the amount of heart-warming and psychological calm in each prayer as if you were relieved of the hassles of life in the day five times. What a wonderful religion.

[@sjguindi]

This is a great work and blessing. God bless you and hear the prayers of Father Lazarus.

[@sliku12]

beatiful

[@GhinainanEvNoti]

I've heard of an Abouna Keraz who's an anchorite. In these times though, extremely rare... God bless these holy men, may we learn from them!

[@alemwoldeyes]

what is that chant and where can i here at 5:40 mintues into the video

[@TJKArts1974]

Brilliant Film...we should never judge another Christian Brother, based on the way God want Him to live. I think every Christian especially from the west should go to a monastery like this...and witness, and experience God.

[@OrthodoxCatechumen]

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." - Hebrews 11:1 The very desire to believe is a critical aspect of faith. Experience and insight (of a spiritual nature) are indeed important but they are rather the fruits of faith not the seeds.

[@VinnieCamaro]

Actually it should be 'anachorite'....but was misnamed.. Αναχωρητης in Greek...literally..'the one that has departed'

[@NorthSeaChinese]

Nice guy - especially for an Aussie! Got a feeling that the 'Creator' just may be watching the Ashes series.

[@AngelOfSephiroth]

A Beautiful video, I have passed it on to my brothers in the British Orthodox Church. Pray for my weaknesses x

[@billsmith5970]

I would have thought the best route would have been to join the Carthusians

[@icixie]

@HitmanEF watch this movie also, if you like father Lazarus

[@realgains1538]

Absolutely astounding! I would to talk with him and visit the monastery.

[@nomoetnoshowy1]

humbling and inspiring grateful such saintly people live today

[@septam]

great film! Beautiful shots! How did you find this man?

[@JanHough]

Very courageous living - and one cannot help admiring it at one level, but walking in front of traffic dodging cars is also courageous. Should one admire it?? Surely it was not Jesus' intention for us to separate ourselves from humanity. We become fully ourselves in relationship with others, not only with God. We all have to have a relationship with society at some level. Why only have a truncated relationship with other humans and lose you family and friends?

[@pablodee9024]

Jan Hough Jesus calls some to live as Anchorites, but most aren’t.

[@pathfinderrob]

Brilliant job Remigiusz! First Class!

[@atwittbb]

With all the difficulties with the Christian Brotherhood in Egypt, does anyone know how this group is doing?

[@ArmenianLifewithMitch]

+atwittbb...with God's help they are all still praying...perhaps even more fervently, given the current situation in Egypt. I recently heard that Fr. Lazarus is still living on the mountain. He was, and is, a big inspiration to me in my Orthodox journey. I'm also Australian, but followed God's call to Armenia (with my wife) where Christians face the challenge of rediscovering their Orthodox faith following the demise of the Soviet Union. May God give us all the wisdom and strength to pray for our respective churches, monks, nuns and priests and the salvation of the world. Kind regards, Petros

[@1g0g]

хорошо!

[@ruzickaw]

The desire to believe in a God is only YOUR desire. It has nothing to do with any god. Yes, at the beginning of such a journey there is the desire to find something. But later on one finds out that there is is nothing to find. As long as one as the desire to believe one is like a child who WANTS to believe in Saint Clause.

[@عبدالرحمنالبداوي-ب2د]

When you pray as a Muslim, you will see the amount of heart-warming and psychological calm in each prayer as if you were relieved of the hassles of life in the day five times. What a wonderful religion.

[@bootleg8720]

heretic