Saint Basil the Great

'O Great Basil, chalice of purity, voice of wisdom, and master of learning, enlighten all of us with a spiritual brightness.

Let us come and stand in the house of God, warmly admiring and delighting in the marvels that bring us joy.'

Matins - Feast of St. Basil

St. Basil was born in 329 in Caesarea, the capital of Cappadocia.  He received a very assiduous training in spiritual and moral virtues under the tutelage of his grandmother, St. Macrina, and his mother, St. Emellia.  It is remarkable to note that from the ten siblings in St. Basil's family, five children became saints: St. Basil, who became the Archbishop of Caesarea; St. Gregory, Bishop of Nyssa; St. Peter, Bishop of Sebaste, St. Naucratius, and St. Macrina.

During his youth, Basil studied in the cities of Caesarea, Constantinople, and Athens.  After completing, with distinction, the most advanced courses offered in those institutions, Basil heeded the advice of his sister, Macrina, abandoned the secular life and became a monk.  Desirous of studying the monastic life, Basil traveled first to Egypt where eremitical monasticism flourished.  He met ascetic hermits there who dwelled in the caves of the desert.  After he had carefully studied their life, Basil returned to his native land, Cappadocia, and withdrew with companions to Pontus on the banks of the Iris River.  They divided their time between prayer, meditation on Holy Scripture and manual labor.

Basil favored the cenobitic life over that of the eremitic, for he believed that in the common life one could more perfectly fulfill the commandment to love God and one's neighbor.

In 362, Basil was ordained deacon, and in 364 he was ordained to the priesthood.  In this capacity, he cared for the spiritual as well as the material needs of the people of Caesarea.  In the year 370, he became Archbishop of Caesarea.

Basil devoted himself to practical matters such as working with the poor and homeless. He also worked with constancy to settle the question of the unity of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  To this end, he wrote a treatise entitled, 'On the Holy Spirit.' His other prodigious writings are replete with dogmatic and ascetic works.  His ascetic thoughts became the basis for his "Longer and Shorter Rules," which are not a rule in the strict sense of the word, but rather a catechism of monastic duties and virtues.  Basil labored untiringly throughout his life to demonstrate his great love for God.  This was so evident in his prayer, his sacrifice and his service to his fellow human beings that the flaming pillar became a symbol of his life.

A frail person by nature, St. Basil, at times, neglected himself in his tireless efforts for others.  He died on January 1, 379, at the age of 50.

Saint Macrina

'You stood before the presence of God, O blessed one. You were adorned with light, life and knowledge. In every way you are worthy of praise, for you give radiant blessings to all, O most resplendent sunrise.'

Matins - Feast of St. Macrina

St. Macrina was one year older than her brother, St. Basil the Great.  In her youth, she had received excellent formation in spiritual and moral virtues.  Macrina studied Sacred Scripture under the supervision of her mother, Emellia, and grandmother, Macrina. Her father died at an early age, and it was Macrina who helped her mother educate her brothers and sisters.

She became an accomplished young woman and in time was engaged to be married. During the preparations for her marriage, the young man to whom she was engaged died unexpectedly.  Macrina refused further offers of marriage and became evermore dedicated to helping in the care of her younger brothers and sisters.

When the children had reached maturity and were able to support themselves, Macrina urged her mother, some servants and companions to retire to a family estate on the Iris River in Pontus.  Living there in community, they began a life of asceticism, meditation and prayer.  Many pious women of various estates flocked to the monastery, eventually following the rule that Basil had legislated for the monks.  Their concern for the spiritual did not blind them to earthly realities.  These holy women fed and clothed the poor; they cared for many homeless and needy persons.

While on her deathbed, Macrina fervently desired to see her brother, Gregory of Nyssa, one more time before she died.  This wish was granted, and Gregory himself tells how it came about.  He explains that, on his return from a Synod held at Antioch towards the end of the year 379, he had a vision which informed him of his sister's approaching death and the desire of his presence.

Obeying this inspiration, he hastened to the bedside of his dying sister.  In true Christian love, they consoled each other with thoughts on the life hereafter and their final meeting in heaven.

St. Macrina died on July 19, 379, less than a year after her brother, St. Basil.