St. Basil the Great, Bishop and Doctor

St. Basil the Great, Bishop and Doctor,
329-379 A.D., feast January 2

St. Basil "the Great"

St. Basil shares the honorific title "the Great" with three other doctors of the Church: Pope Leo, Pope Gregory, and Albert. (The Church declares certain Saints as Doctors of the Church because their writings continue to uphold the Church's teachings for the universal Church). So great were Basil's accomplishments that he was already being called "the Great" during his lifetime. His spiritually influenced Eastern monasticism and the liturgy of the Eastern Church. He also defended orthodox Christianity in the East against the heresy of Arianism after St. Athanasius' death.

Born of a family of saints

St. Basil was one of ten children of St. Basil the Elder and St. Emmelia. His grandmother was St. Macrina the Elder, his brother was St. Gregory of Nyssa, and his eldest sister was St. Macrina the Younger. Basil was born in Caesarea of Cappadocia - in what is now southeastern Turkey. Educated first by his father and grandmother, he then studied further in Constantinople and Athens. There he met St. Gregory Nazianzen, who would become his close friend. He also met Julian - who would become the future emperor and apostate.

Pursuit of religious life

When his education was completed, St. Basil returned home, where he taught rhetoric and planned a career in teaching. However, St. Macrina the Younger, his eldest sister, influenced him to pursue religious life. Basil travelled to many monasteries in the East (in Asia Minor, Mesopotamia, Syria, Palestine, and Egypt) to learn about monastic life. Upon his return back in 358 A.D., he settled in a secluded spot by the Iris River in Pontus, and devoted himself to prayer and study. A group of disciples soon gathered around him. With these followers, he founded the first monastery in Asia Minor. It is them that St. Basil formulated the principles that would rule and regulate the lives of monks in the Eastern Church (including those of modern Orthodox Churches) up to the present age. It is this accomplishment that St. Basil came to be known as "the Father of Eastern Monasticism".

A priest in 363 A.D.

Basil consented to be ordained a priest and he immediately began to play a role in the administration of the diocese. After a dispute with his bishop Eusebius, he returned to his monastery. He was recalled to the diocese in 365 A.D. through the insistence of his friend, Gregory of Nazianzen. Upon his return, he became the power behind the episcopal throne for the next five years. When the bishop died in 370 A.D., St. Basil was chosen bishop. He then spent the next eight and one half years caring for his diocese.

Involvement against Arianism

Because orthodox Christians were being persecuted by Arian bishops, Basil was called upon to help defend the faith against Arianism (which claims that Christ is not divine). Valens, an Arian emperor, pressured Basil to allow Arians full communion with the Church. St. Basil firmly refused and the Emperor decided to exile him. Upon signing the order of banishment, Valens' pen broke in his hand three times. Astonished by this happening, the Emperor then backed down and never again interfered with ecclesial affairs.

The Basilade

St. Basil was known for his care of the poor. He devoted all of his income for the good of the people. He founded an immense charitable institution, later known as the Basilade. This institution included a hospital, a hospice for the homeless, an asylum for orphans, and a school for the young.

A great orator and a prolific writer

St. Basil was one of the great orators of the Church - preaching brilliant sermons twice a day. He was a prolific writer - writing four hundred letters that had tremendous influence on the Church. His other writings include a book On the Holy Spirit; three books against Arian bishop Enomius; and a compilation with Gregory Nazianzen of the works of Origen. It was his 42 written sermons, his writings, and his 400 letters that earned him the designation of Doctor of the Church.

Pain and illness

St. Basil was already suffering from a chest ailment when he was contending against Arian Emperor Valens. This chest pain and other infirmities brought about his death on January 1, 379 at age 49. Because he was so beloved, his funeral was attended by large numbers of Christians, Jews, and pagans.