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magine facing a world of great turmoil, violence, even death threats. Saying, "Beam me up, Scotty!" doesn't seem to work.
One wealthy, radical youth named Paul, to escape the intensifying persecutions of the Emperor Decius, retired to a home out in the country. Upon discovering that his brother-in-law plotted to hand him over to the persecutors, Paul left all behind and fled in fear to the desert. Jerome wrote an account of his life.
Paul of Thebes preceded Anthony of Egypt into the desert. Anthony, at 90, was informed about this hermit Paul who at 113 was "a much better man than he." Anthony, thinking no one had surpassed him, had to meet him. He found Paul, but had to persuade him to open his door. Then, they exchanged a holy kiss, and gave thanks to God. Paul asked Anthony,