Extreme Pilgrim - Ascetic Christianity
This episode is set in Egypt and looks to gain insight into the teachings of St Anthony of the Desert, the Desert Fathers, and the Hermit lifestyle. Anglican vicar Peter Owen-Jones visits Coma, the birthplace of Anthony, and the church where he spent 20 years in relative solitude. From there he travels into the desert with a group of Bedouin camel herders to trace Anthony's steps to the site where he established the Monastery of Saint Anthony.
After a stay with the Coptic monks at the monastery, Peter goes into one of the hermit caves where St Anthony spent his final 43 years. Under the stewardship of an Australian Coptic hermit, Father Lazarus El Anthony, he is introduced into one of the caves and goes on to spend 21 days there in solitude.
