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St. Basil the Great, Bishop
and Doctor, 329-379 A.D.
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. So great
were Basil's accomplishments that he was already being called "the Great"
during his lifetime. His greatness was rooted in his influence on the
spirituality of Eastern monasticism and on the liturgy of the Eastern
Church. He was also the principal defender of orthodox Christianity in
the East against 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 took
advanced studies in Constantinople and Athens. There he met St.
Gregory Nazianzen, who would become his close friend, and also Julian
- who would become the future emperor and apostate.
Pursuit of religious life
His education 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 then 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 them, he founded the
first monastery in Asia Minor. It is within this monastic community
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. Because of this, 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 to the good of the people. He also 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 also 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.
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St. Basil shares the honorific title "the Great" with three other
doctors of the Church: Pope Leo, Pope Gregory, and Albert. So great
were Basil's accomplishments that he was already being called "the Great"
during his lifetime. His greatness was rooted in his influence on the
spirituality of Eastern monasticism and on the liturgy of the Eastern
Church. He was also the principal defender of orthodox Christianity in
the East against Arianism after St. Athanasius' death.