About St. Basil (329A.D-379A.D.)

St. Basil the Great was born in Caesarea of Cappadocia in 329A.D. Many members of his immediate family were also canonized saints:

† St. Macrina the Elder - his grandmother
† St. Basil the Elder - his father
† St. Emmelia - his mother
† St. Gregory of Nyssa - his brother
† St. Peter of Sebaste - his brother
† St. Macrina the Younger - his sister

St. Basil Educated

St. Basil began his studies in Constantinople. He then continued his education in Athens which was noted as the university city of the Greeks. He became one of the great Cappadocian doctors of the church, along with his friend, St. Gregory Nazianzen and his brother, Gregory of Nyssa.

St. Basil Founded a Monastery

St. Basil eventually retired from his public life of teaching and traveled to many monasteries in Palestine, Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Syria where he studied monastic rites and life. St. Basil founded a monastery of his own and the basis of his monastery is still used by Eastern Orthodox monks.

Festival of St. Basil

The Greek Festival of Saint Basil is celebrated every year in Greek Orthodox Churches. The life of St. Basil warrants celebration for this great saint fought against heresies, built hospitals of the needy, preached the words of Jesus, developed theological laws, and interpreted the divinity of the Holy Spirit. St. Basil lived and strived for peace, charity, and a unified church.

Many Christians celebrate the life of St. Basil by wearing a St. Basil medal or a St. Basil pendant in his honor. During the Festival of Saint Basil, Christians buy the St. Basil medallion and the St. Basil necklace for themselves or as gifts for their loved ones. The life of St. Basil and his teachings live on in the Christian world today.

Saint Basil the Great Quote

Beside each believer stands an Angel as protector and shepherd, leading him to life.

Prayer to St. Basil the Great

Jan 1- St. Basil Day

O great and most glorious hierarch of Christ, divinely wise teacher of the Church in all the world, firm confessor and champion of Orthodoxy, all-blessed Father Basil!

Look down from the heights of Heaven upon us who humbly fall down before thee, and entreat the Lord Almighty, Whose faithful minister on earth thou wast,

to grant us a firm and unchanging custody of the right Faith, obedience to the Holy Church,

a correction of our way of life, and swift help patience and strength in all our needs, sorrows and temptations.

Bestow thy holy blessing upon us, so that, protected by it, in this new year, we might live every day in a manner pleasing unto God,

in peace and penitence, and be vouchsafed together with thee and all the Saints, in the kingdom of Heaven to hymn and glorify the Life-creating Trinity: the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, for ages of ages. Amen.

From the Akathist printed at the Synodal printery in Moscow, 1912