ANCHORITES, or ANCIIORETS (Gr. anadwretai ; literally, persons who withdraw from society), the hermits who began to appear in the Christian church in the 3d c., living in solitude, and not, like the monks of cenobites, in communities. During the first two centuries, Christians generally thought it enough to withdraw from the world by refusing to participate in heathen festivals and amusements; but extreme views be came gradually prevalent, and were connected with a belief in the merit of celibacy, of abstinence from particular kinds of food, of self-inflicted tortures, etc. The persecutions to which Christians were subjected, drove some into the solitude of deserts; afterwards, the glory of a life spent in loneliness and austerity became a substitute for that of the martyr's death. The general corruption of society also caused many earnest and well meaning persons to flee from it; the Ascetics (q.v.) first set the example of retiring from cities to rural districts and villages; the A. went further, and sought to withdraw themselves altogether from mankind; and if the reputation of sanctity which was con nected with a life of solitude constituted its chief attraction to some, there can be no doubt that many chose it in the hope of thereby attaining to real sanctity. Many of the A. voluntarily subjected themselves to the vicissitudes of the weather, without proper habitation or clothing, restricted themselves to coarse and scanty fare, wore chains and iron rings, and even throughout many years maintained painful postures, such as standing on the top of a pillar (see STYLITES), thus displaying an earnestness which greater enlightenment might have directed to the good of mankind. Paul (q.v.) the
hermit, and Antony (q.v.), were among the first and most celebrated A. The A. were not always able to preserve their solitude unbroken. The fame of their sanctity drew many to visit them; their advice was often sought; and the number of their visitors was much increased by the belief that diseases, particularly mental diseases, were cured by their blessing. Sometimes, also, they returned for a short time to the midst of their fellow men to deliver warnings, instructions, or encouragements, and were received as if they had been inspired prophets or angels from heaven. The number of A., however, gradually diminished, and the religious life of convents was preferred to that of the hermitage. The western church, indeed, at no time abounded in A. like the eastern, and perhaps the reason may in part be found in the difference of climate, which renders a manner of life impossible in most parts of Europe that could be pursued for many years in Egypt or Syria.