Saint Basil the Great
Saint Basil became the richest man at the age of 12, he inherited his family’s
fortune. He offered a great deal of attention to the poor and the oppressed, being the initiator of many
charities. He was the first hierarch who built, aside from churches, asylums and hospitals for the poor, a
leper house, a drugstore with free products dedicated to all Christians and a recovery settlement for
prostitutes.
Saint Basil the Great lived in the sixth century and came from an outstanding family: his father, Saint
Basil the Old, was a famous teacher in Pont; his sister, Macrina, and his brother, Gregory from Nyssa, also
became Saints. St.Basil studied in Caesarea, Byzantium and Athens, making himself known as a teenager
through profound knowledge in philosophy, astronomy, geometry, medicine and rhetoric. His bright writings
set the foundation of monastic systematic life, St.Basil being considered the father of oriental monasticism.
St. Basil formed a strong bond with Gregory of Nazianz, in Athens, who was always impressed by his
intellect and profound spirit.St Basil later became an admirable teacher in Neo Caesarea.
Under the influence of his sister, Basil drew closer to the church and the bishop of Caesarea, Dianius,
who had long appreciated him specifically, encouraged him to accept a job at the church. In search of ways
towards perfection, Basil visited a lot of monasteries in Egypt, Syria, Palestine and Mesopotamia.At his
return to Pont, he establishes a monastery on the shore of Iris.
After the death of Dianius, Eusebius became bishop and again tried to persuade Basil to become a
priest, eventually he offered him a high ranked job in bishopric, which gave him the opportunity to show his
abundant spiritual and intellectual qualities. Meanwhile, St. Basil wields a great deal of influence over the
leaders of the empire and both population and clergy.
He started a fierce debate against arianism and other heretic movements. On the 14th of June
370,St.Basil is elected the bishop of Caesarea, the most important upholder being Gregory Nazianzus.
In this high position, he was always a Metropolitan of Cappadocia and Exarch of Pontus, his
authority raised above the Balkans,theMediterranean,Aegean and the Euphrates.He devoted a lot of effort
into organizing the church and fought for the rights of clergy, he also stressed the thorough canonic and
spiritual training of the priests.
Along with the year 373,a series of events gloom his life, the first misfortune being the death of his
brother and the separation from Gregory Nazianzus. In addition to that, the general status of the Roman
Empire and the gothic attacks. St. Basil dies in 379 and a tremendous number of Christians, Jews, pagans,
locals and foreigners attend his burial as proof of his popularity.
His writings carry a great deal of theological value and were translated worldwide. St. Basil wrote
some books against Eunomius and Arianism in general, in which he protects the Trinity. In “De Spiritu
Sancto”, St. Basil treats the subject of the Holy Spirit and opposes some movements of Macedonia which
deny the existence of the Holy Spirit. He also wrote a great deal of exegetic works about Psalms, Isaiah and
Iov, 24 sermons and held many speeches.Other important writings were:Monastic Rules, Morals, About the
Judgement of God, About Religion and 366 letters, many with dogmatic characters and others with
apologetic characters.St. Basil is celebrated on the 1st of January and also on the 30th of January along with
St. John Chrysostom and St. Gregory (Nazianzius) (The Three Hierarch Saints – as was decided in 1081 by
John Patriarch of Constantinople in the memory of these great saints and theological Orthodox).
St Basil’s prayers, considered some of the strongest loosing rituals, are read in the cases of demonization or
to those in need for these prayers.
Among many of his important writings, the Liturgy “St.Basil the Great” has a praised spot in his
collection.
In Romanian tradition, New Year’s Eve, celebrated on the 31st of December through 1st of
January, is also called the Night of St.Basil.It is said that on that special night the sky opens three
time but only for an instant.
St.Basil is one of the saints that worked great miracles and is considered the guardian against evil
spirits, with great strength against demons.
There is a custom in which St. Basil is pictured as ”a great drunk” who rides a barrel and during his
birthday people drink,dance and eat. He is also believed to have prayed to God to dedicate to him one
day and so He did give him the First Day.Overjoyed he took a bell and attached a basil branch and
blessed God.That’s why on New Year’s Eve the custom is to scream.