Picha takatifu ya Arseni Mkuu , mmojawapo kati ya mababu wa jangwani maarufu zaidi.Mababu wa jangwani walikuwa wamonaki ambao kuanzia karne III , dhuluma za serikali dhidi ya Wakristo zilipopungua, lakini zaidi karne IV , baada ya Konstantino Mkuu kuruhusu Ukristo katika Dola la Roma , walihama miji na vijiji wakaishi upkeweni kwenye majangwa ya Misri , Palestina na Syria .
Kati yao Antoni Mkuu anahesabiwa kuwa wa kwanza; walau ndiye aliyevutia wengi zaidi kufuata mtindo huo wa utawa .
Mbali ya wanaume (abba ) kulikuwa pia na wanawake (amma ).
Lengo lao lilikuwa kuishi kwa juhudi baada ya mwisho wa dhuluma za serikali dhidi ya Kanisa . Hivyo walishika nafasi ya heshima na baada ya kufa walitazamwa kama watakatifu karibu na wafiadini .
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