‘Basil of Caesarea’ or commonly known as ‘Saint Basil the Great’ was a Greek bishop. Saint Basil was a very influential personality who supported the right things and fought against traditional rites. Saint Basil’s contributed significantly in the field of theology, and favored the Nicene Creed. ST. Basil always supported and cared for underprivileged and economic weak population. St. Basil guided people on the path of monastic life that emphasizes on liturgical prayer, social life, and manual work. St. Basil is a great example of balanced political power and theological convictions which made him supporter of Nicene Creed. This paper intends to discuss life of Saint Basil and his influence in biblical history along with his writings and various other aspects.
Biography and Influence in Biblical History
St. Basil was born around 330 into a very wealthy family living in Caesarea. His father (Mr. Basil) was a famous lawyer and rhetorician. St Emilia, mother of St Basil was the Christian martyr’s daughter. Basil’s maternal grandfather was executed before the Constantine I’s conversion. St. Basil had nine siblings and four out of them can be refer as saints: Gregory of Nyssa, Macrina the younger, Peter of Sebaste, and Naucratius. Basil spent his initial years at Iris River where his mother and grandmother raised him. His basic elementary education was conducted under the guidance and supervision of Basil’s father. After completion of basic education, Basil was sent to a school located in Constantinople. Brasil further went to Athens to pursue higher education (Jackson and Basil).
Saint Basil received his formal education in Cappadocia during 350 to 51. In Turkey he met with Gregory of Nazianzus and both became lifetime friends. Both pursued their education together and spend around 6 years in Athens. Both Basil and Gregory regarded each other which is reflected when Gregory mentioned that “Various hopes guided us, and indeed inevitably, in learning Two paths opened up before us: the one to our sacred temples and the teachers therein; the other towards preceptors of disciplines beyond” (Orthodox Church in America).
Basil the great was a brilliant student and great teacher. People also said for his spiritual perfection and self-sufficiency. Basil came in touch with Dianius, bishop of Caesarea who baptized him. Dianius destined him as a Reader when Basil returned to Caesarea. During the same time, Basil was influenced by his sister Macrina, who formed a religious community named Annesi on her family estate. Basil’s inclination towards truth and God was increasing and he was feeling that his so far life was miserable. Basil’s realized that the perfection can only be achieved by sharing goods and happiness with poor people, and giving all care to them.
In 356, Basil decided to go to Egypt in order to learn perfection. Basil visited Syria, Mesopotamia, and Palestine. Saint Basil came back to Caesarea after his long travelling. His travel to various places enlighten him with knowledge and admiration of austerity. Basil’s life was running ordinarily till he encountered a bishop and austere Eusebius of Sebaste. Basil influenced enormously with Eusebius and abandoned his legal career and teaching. That time changed life of Basil completely and he decided to devote his remaining life to the God.
Eusebius persuaded the Basil and made him ordained priest. Eusebius gave Basil a prominent place by allocating some administrative responsibilities of the diocese. Managerial abilities of Basil covered the bishop who was unable to handle his responsibilities. As said by Naz. “All the more eminent and wiser portion of the church was roused against the bishop” (Schaff, p 405). Basil withdrawn himself from the position and responsibilities allocated to him in order to avoid any trouble, and went into isolation. However, Basil returned to his position when people demanded for powerful personality. All disagreement between Basil and Eusebius were resolved, and Basil became real leader of diocese.
Basil disregarded the law of imperial governors and settled dispute between wisdom and decisiveness. Basil supported poor and spiritually needy people, entertained strangers, and taken care of servants and maidens. Basil supported monastic life and saved poor people. Basil’s influence was visible through the country “from the Balkans to the Mediterranean and from the Aegean to the Euphrates” (Jackson and Basil, p. 38). Basil became bishop of Caesarea which dissatisfied various other bishops. Basil worked efficiently on exclusion of poor candidates and emphasizes on discipline. He written new rules and regulations that inform about qualities of the priest. Basil worked towards the unity of people and protection of humanity.
Writings
Saint Basil has written five books, nine homilies, 24 sermons, 366 letters and various other pieces of writings. However, he did not written for New Testament. Saint Basil unlike various other bishops did not write of New Testaments. Basil’s books and other writing works gained criticism from his opponents and bishops who were not satisfied with the success of Basil, and also were not favor in favor of his idea of care of poor and maiden people.
Current Academic Thoughts
Saint Basil the great’s contribution towards Christian religion is pinnacle of achievements and hard efforts. Current academics consider that Basil’s ideology and rules were misrepresented and distorted at that time. Basil’s worldview still reflects a milestone for the Holy Spirit, where traditional interaction between Orthodox Church and scientific culture of ancient times taken place. Basil made efforts to bridge the gap between traditions and scientific realities. Basil displayed his knowledge to the people and interpreted it with respect to ecclesial faith. Basil provided his readers and audience a comprehensive picture of reality. He informed his followers about heaven and earth, truth and reality, biology and science, and astronomy and mineral (Leustean).
The descriptive approach adopted by Saint Basil had not received much praised until modern-era. His impressive contribution is upheld in present time. Saint Basil’s assessment of creation’s mortality, natural decay, and his understanding of universe’s parameters represent significant intuitions as well as inspiration. Basil tries to make people understand the framework of cosmological principle and how they are related with human beings. Basil had the power to make people understand the true representation of Christianity and cultural patterns that took place over a period of time (Copleston).
The analysis of the early life of Saint Basil the great and his contribution towards Christianity shows that he acted as a transformer who brought significant changes not only in the principles of religion but in the mindset of people. Saint Basil brought people more close to the reality of world and to the science. Saint Basil made people understand how different species, social classes and group of people can survive together in peace.
Works Cited
Copleston, Frederick. A History of Philosophy, Vol. 2: Medieval Philosophy - From Augustine to Duns Scotus. New York: Image, 2007.
Jackson, B., and Basil, St. The treatise de spiritu sancto. USA: Рипол Классик, 2012.
Leustean, Lucian N. Eastern Christianity and Politics in the Twenty-First Century. New York: Routledge, 2014.
Schaff, Philip. Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers: Second Series, Volume VII Cyril of Jerusalem . New York: Cosimo, Inc, 2007.
"St. Basil the Great, Archbishop of Cæsarea in Cappadocia." 1 January 2014. oca.org. 29 November 2014 <http://oca.org/saints/lives/2013/01/01/100003-st-basil-the-great-archbishop-of-caeligsarea-in-cappadocia>.
