Saint Basil the Great, Doctor of the Church who united East and West

Every January 2, the festival of Saint Basil the Great is commemorated in the West, a contemplative, charitable man of unwavering faith who managed to unite East and West.

Saint Basil the Great is venerated as a saint in the Orthodox Church, being one of the four main Fathers of the Greek Church. In addition, he is recognized as a saint and Doctor of the Catholic Church.

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Saint Basil came from a place steeped in holiness: he was born in the year 330 into a pious family in Caesarea, Cappadocia. Both his brother, Gregory of Nyssa, and his sister, Macrina, are recognized as saints, as is their learned grandmother, Saint Macrina. Even his best friend in his youth, Saint Gregory of Nazianzus, shared his spiritual path.

Despite showing signs of having a brilliant academic career, as he studied with the best philosophers and teachers of Constantinople, Basilio surprised everyone by suddenly abandoning the world and deciding to become a hermit in the desert. He was baptized and, after visiting monasteries in Syria, Palestine, Mesopotamia and Egypt, he finally settled next to the River Iris in Pontus in the year 358. Here, to his surprise, he attracted numerous followers and founded the first monastery in Asia Minor. , despite not having formal training for it.

Following the example of his sister, who had begun a monastic life for women years earlier, Saint Basil founded a contemplative community for men. The Rule of Saint Basil, unique for its catechetical question-and-answer format, was based on getting groups of men to live in harmony based on their own answers. This rule has endured in the East to this day, balancing hard, practical work with long periods of contemplation.

Although he may have spent the rest of his life as a hermit, in 365 his friend Gregory of Nyssa asked him for help in combating the Arian heresy. Basilio joined the fight, being ordained a priest that same year. He proved to be an outstanding collaborator of his time, co-editing with Saint Gregory of Nazianzus the Philokaliaan anthology of Origen’s writings that contributed to the knowledge of early Christianity.

In the year 370, Saint Basil was proclaimed Bishop of Caesarea after the death of the local prelate, Eusebius. Despite Eusebius’ initial doubts towards him, Basilio achieved success, not only on a spiritual level but also in social initiatives. He founded a colossal hospital, a hospice and a “hunger relief center”, in addition to fighting the prostitution trade.

His episcopacy was not limited to concerns for social justice; He also stood out as a preacher and left an extensive theological work, homilies, sermons and more than 400 letters. In addition to his contributions to contemplative life, liturgy, and charitable works, Basil ascended to Metropolitan of Cappadocia, having authority over other bishops who initially opposed his elevation.

According to theologian Walter Nigg, “Basil cultivated friendship,” radiating kindness and love of learning. Despite being considered one of the great Doctors of the Church, he saw himself as a failure, saying: “Because of my sins, it seems that I fail at everything.”

Saint Basil died on January 1 or 2, 379, before he was even 60 years old. The funeral prayers of Gregory of Nyssa and Gregory of Nazianzus exalted him as “The Great.” This Doctor of the Church has been highlighted as a saint who managed to unite East and West.

Translated and adapted by ACI Prensa. Originally published on January 3, 2018 in National Catholic Register. Updated for republication.

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