St Basil

St Basil (326-379), more popularly known as St Basil the Great, was doctor of the Church, bishop of Cæsarea, in Cappadocia, his birthplace. He was brother of St Gregory of Nyssa, studied at Athens, had Julian the Apostate for a fellow-student, and was the lifelong friend of Gregory Nazianzen. He founded a monastic body, whose rules are followed by different monastic communities.

He was a conspicuous opponent of the Arian heresy, and defender of the Nicene Creed. He also tried in vain to unite the Churches of the East and West. He is represented in Christian art in Greek pontificals, bareheaded, and with an emaciated appearance.

Feast day, June 14.