St. Basil the Great (329-379) was born in Asia Minor. Two of his brothers became bishops, and with his mother and his sister, are honored as Saints. He studied with great success in Athens, where he formed a tender and perpetual friendship with Saint Gregory Nazianzen. He then taught oratory. The study of philosophy had already raised him above all worldly ambition, and dreading the honors of the world, he gave up all things to become the father of monastic life in the East. "For the Church art thou in truth a firm foundation, granting an inviolate lordship unto all mortal men and sealing it with what thou hast taught, O righteous Basil, revealer of heavenly things." Kontakion (Fourth Tone)

Saint Basil’s entire life was one of suffering, both physical and moral; he lived amidst jealousies, misunderstandings and seeming disappointments. But he sowed the seed which bore good fruit in the future generations. He was God’s instrument to resist the Arian and other heretics in the East, and to restore the spirit of discipline and fervor in the Church. He died peacefully in 379 at the age of fifty-one, and is venerated as a Doctor of the Church.

Feast Day: 14 June (Roman, EF), 2 January (Roman, OF), 1 January (East) - This is one of ten times during the year when the Liturgy of Saint Basil is celebrated. Saint Basil is also celebrated on January 30 with Saint Gregory the Theologian and Saint John Chrysostom. These great Fathers and Theologians of the Church are commemorated on this day as the “Three Hierarchs.”