Saint Basil the Great
Bishop of Caesarea, organiser of monastic life and founder of a charity complex
- Rank
- Saint
- Kind
- Bishop, Doctor of the Church
- Life
- ~330 – ~379
- Era
- 4th century
- Feast
- 2 January
- Countries
- Türkiye
Life story
Basil was born around 330 in Caesarea in Cappadocia, into a wealthy and devout family. His grandmother Macrina, his sister Macrina and his brother Gregory of Nyssa are also venerated by the Church. He studied at Constantinople and then Athens, where he befriended Gregory of Nazianzus.
After visiting monks in Egypt and Syria, he withdrew to a life of monastic retreat on family land near the river Iris in Pontus, around 358. His monastic writings, later known as the Rules of Basil, are still followed by Eastern monks. He was ordained priest and in 370 was elected bishop of Caesarea.
As bishop he defended the Nicene faith under pressure from the emperor Valens, who favoured the Arians. On the edge of Caesarea he had built a complex with a church, relief centre, hostel and infirmary, later called the Basiliad. He urged the wealthy to share their goods during years of famine.
He left many works: Against Eunomius, On the Holy Spirit, the Hexaemeron, and hundreds of letters. He died on 1 January 379; the Roman Church marks his feast on 2 January. He is honoured as a Doctor of the Church. Together with his brother Gregory of Nyssa and his friend Gregory of Nazianzus, he is counted among the three Cappadocian Fathers. A eucharistic liturgy bearing his name is still used in the Byzantine rite. His letters and sermons also record his concern for fair treatment of the poor, and he is remembered in the East as one of the Three Holy Hierarchs.
Works and witness
- Wrote monastic rules still followed in the East
- Bishop of Caesarea from 370, defender of the Nicene faith
- Founded the Basiliad, a complex with an infirmary and hostel for the poor
- Wrote On the Holy Spirit and the Hexaemeron
Saints from the same country
References
- Basil of Caesarea, On the Holy Spirit
- Basil of Caesarea, Letters
- Martyrologium Romanum
Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.