"Antony was buried by his own choice in a place known to none.
But by 561 his relics were found and translated to Alexandria.
Much later, translations were claimed by Constantinople and by La
Motte, where the Order of Hospitallers of Saint Antony was founded
c.1100. This became a pilgrimage centre for those who suffered
from ergotism (called St Antony's Fire). The hospitallers, who
wore black robes with a blue Tau-cross, became widespread over
much of Western Europe. They used to ride about, ringing little
bells to attract alms; the bells were afterwards hung round the
necks of animals to protect them from disease. By special
privilege this order's pigs were allowed to roam freely in the
streets, whence the emblems of pigs and bells in St Antony's
later iconography... ...Feast 17th January"
From Rennes le Chateau, a Visitor's Guide (1993), p. 27 :
"St Antony Ermite. The presence in the church of this saint, who
led an exemplary life may be intended to suggest a nearby
location - 'La Grotte de l'Ermite' (the Hermit's Grotto). It is
not simply chance which makes a ray of sunlight pass through the
stained glass window opposite and illuminate the statue on
precisely January 17th, the date on which he is celebrated, and
on which he died at the age of 105."
"Marie de Negre Dables-Dame D'Hautpoul de Blanchefort died in the
chateau of Rennes on 17th January 1781 at the age of 67."
"Having this, I easily accomplished the Mastery, for, knowing the preparation of the first Agents, and after following my Book according to the letter, I could not have missed it, though I would. Then, the first time that I made projection was upon Mercury, whereof I turned half-a-pound, or thereabouts, into pure Silver, better than that of the Mine, as I myself assayed, and made others assay many times. This was upon a Monday, the 17th of January, about noon, in my house, Perrenella only being present, in the year of the restoring of mankind, 1382."
Title page : "PONTOISE - 17 JANVIER 1967 - 3 FRS"
From Le Serpent Rouge :
"J'ai omis de vous dire en effet que c'etait un songe que j'avais fait ce
17 JANVIER, fete de Saint SULPICE."
"January 17th AD 681 was the date Sigisbert IV was reputed to have arrived
at Rennes-le-Chateau. He is the mysterious link in the Merovingian line who,
as son of Dagobert II, would have been his heir. As his life was in danger he
was apparently concealed and from him came a line of kings who have never
ruled."