St. Basil the Great is great. But why is he “Great”? St. Basil, one of 10 children, was declared a Doctor of the Church in 1568 by Pope St. Pius V because his “development of theology and personal sanctity are exemplary” (Armenio 139). After completing his education, St. Basil decided to give his life in service to the Church. At about 30 years of age, in A.D. 358, he settled as a hermit in Neocaesarea. He helped St. Gregory of Nazianzus, also a saint in the Eastern Orthodox Churches, teach the Faith. In Pontus, which is the eastern Black Sea-side region in modern Turkey, St. Basil founded what was probably the first monastery in Asia Minor. He wrote the Rule of St. Basil, the only recognized monastic rule in Eastern Orthodox churches. Seven years after becoming a priest, Basil was ordained a bishop in the year 370; tradition places his ordination on June 14. June 14 was celebrated as St. Basil’s feast before Vatican II; today the Roman Catholic Church celebrates his feast on January 2. As Bishop of Caesarea, St. Basil spent all of his time, talent and treasure serving the Church. He avidly defended the Church against the heresy of Arianism until his death in A.D. 379. Put simply, Arianism claims that Jesus is not God and is not equal to the Father; he was only a very holy created being. As Catholics, we know that Jesus is true God and true Man, and he is “begotten not made [emphasis added]” (Nicene Creed). The Council of Constantinople in 381, two years after St. Basil’s death, officially defeated Arianism by upholding the Nicene Creed. St. Basil never backed down in defending the Faith against Arianism. Although the Arian Emperor Valens threatened Basil with exile, St. Basil held fast to the Nicene Creed. As bishop, St. Basil also established many reforms to better care for the material and spiritual needs of his flock. The hospital St. Basil built to care for the sick and poor was renowned in its day. St. Basil believed that everyone should keep only what was necessary and give the rest to the poor. He said, “If everyone would take only according to his needs and would leave the surplus to the needy, no one would be rich, no one poor, no one in misery.” St. Basil insisted upon rigorous moral training for all those studying for the priesthood. Passionately protesting lax morals, St. Basil openly spoke out against unjust public officials. St. Basil took his role as Bishop seriously. St. Basil cared for the poor, keeping only the bare necessities for himself. He combated debauchery by training his priests in holiness. St. Basil defended the Catholic Church against Arian heretics. St. Basil, defender and teacher of the Catholic Faith, is truly great.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Armenio, Peter V. The History of the Church: A Complete Course. Woodridge: Midwest Theological Forum, 2007. 139+. Print.
McSorley, J. “St. Basil the Great.” The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 2. New York: Appleton, 1907. New Advent. 2009. Web. 18 Oct. 2011.
“St. Basil the Great.” Catholic Online. Web. 18 Oct. 2011.
“St. Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen.” American Catholic.org. St. Anthony Messenger Press. Web. 18 Oct. 2011.
Quin, Mabel, ed. “Basil, Saint.” The Catholic Peoples Encyclopedia. Vol. 1. Chicago: The Catholic Press, 1966. 90-1. Print.
