Basil

(c. 330–79)

   Saint, Bishop and Theologian.

   Basil was the elder brother of St Gregory of nyssa and a native of Caesarea in Cappadocia. After an extensive education (he studied in Athens with Gregory of nazianzus) he was baptised and became a hermit. In 364, at the request of Eusebius, he returned to the world to combat the Arian heresy. His first books were attacks on the Arian bishop eunomius. Then in 370 he succeeded Eusebius as Bishop of Caesarea where he remained for the rest of his life. Although he corresponded with apollinarius, he was a determined warrior for orthodoxy. He confronted and outfaced the Arian Emperor Valens and he unswervingly opposed the Pneumatomachi who denied the divinity of the Holy Spirit. However, Basil is primarily remembered for his support of monasticism and for his caring and efficient administration of the clergy and poor of his diocese. He introduced the idea of community into the ascetic life and his pastoral supervision of charity was much imitated. Besides the books against Eunomius, he wrote an important collection of letters and a treatise on the Holy Spirit. One of the Three Cappadocian Fathers (the other two being Gregory of Nyssa and Gregory of Nazianzus), he is generally known as St Basil the Great.

   P. Rousseau, Basil of Caesarea (1994);

   P.J. Fedwick, (ed.), Basil of Caesarea (1981).