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Who Was St. Basil?
The principal patron and model for the Basilian Congregation is St. Basil the
Great.
St. Basil was born about the year 329 A.D. in Ceasarea. The second of ten children, Basil was nourished by an outstanding Christian home life. His grandmother - St. Macrina the elder, his parents - Basil and Emmelia, two brothers - Gregory of Nyssa and Peter of Sebaste - and a sister - Macrina the younger, have all been acclaimed saints. The family brought Basil and his siblings up with a remarkable example of concern for the poor, hospitality to strangers, and purity of soul. Although wealthy in the world’s goods, they voluntarily led an austere life.
Basil the Great was the name given him by his friend Gregory of Nazianzus. He is also known as Basil of Ceasarea, and Basil, Bishop of Ceasarea. Basil, along with his brother, Gregory, and his friend, Gregory, are known as the Cappadocian Fathers.
According to the custom of the time, Basil was enrolled as a catechumen as a youth. His decision to be Baptized in 356 marked a definite commitment to a life dedicated to Christ.
Basil was ordained a priest by Bishop Eusebius in the year 364 A.D. About 368, there was a famine in Cappadocia, and the city was filled with hopeless, hungry refugees. Basil organized relief supplies of all sorts including the food which kept many alive.
Basil was appointed Bishop of Ceasarea in 370. He immediately began to build hospitals, clinics, hospices, trade schools, and arranged for doctors, nurses, guides, and beasts of burden to meet the needs of the poor, the sick, the needy, and travelers.
Basil worked diligently for peace in the provinces. In one letter he wrote:
“There is nothing more characteristic of a Christian than to be a peacemaker.”
Basil is known for working against and bringing defeat to the Arian heresy, and he is responsible for the victory of the Nicene Creed.
A man of great personal holiness, St. Basil's written works demonstrate his scholarly ability and deep spirituality.
Basil died peacefully on January 1, 379, and was buried in Caesarea. His feast day is January 2. He is a Doctor of the Church in the West and a Holy Hierarch in the East.
The other patrons of the Basilian congregation are: the Blessed Virgin, especially under her title of Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. Joseph, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Thomas Aquinas, and St. John Bosco. In her position as patroness of the missions, St. Therese
of Lisieux is venerated by the Basilian
Fathers Missions.
The drawing of St. Basil at top
left is courtesy of the artist Margaret Bunson, and is taken
from Our Sunday Visitor's Encyclopedia of Saints.
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