Paul and Antony and the loaf of bread; relief on the Moone High Cross

One of the panels on the 8th century Moone High Cross, in County Kildare, shows the meeting of St. Paul the Hermit and Antony

Jerome, in his Life of Paul the Hermit (section 18) describes the argument between Paul and his guest over who should eat first from a loaf of bread: "having returned thanks to the Lord, they sat down together on the next to the spring of clear water.  Then a dispute arose as to who should break the bread, and nearly the whole day until the evening was spent in the discussion. Paul urged the obligations of hospitality, Antony argued on the basis of age. Eventually they decided that each should grasp the loaf on the side nearest to himself, pull towards him, and keep the part left in his hands."