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 Basil was
on his way to becoming a famous teacher when he decided to begin a religious
life of gospel poverty. After studying various modes of religious life, he
founded what was probably the first monastery in Asia Minor. He is to monks
of the East what St. Benedict is to the West, and his principles influence
Eastern monasticism today.
He was ordained a priest, assisted the archbishop of Caesarea (now
southeastern Turkey), and ultimately became archbishop himself, in spite of
opposition from some of his suffragan bishops, probably because they foresaw
coming reforms.
One of the most damaging heresies in the history of the Church, Arianism,
which denied the divinity of Christ, was at its height. Emperor Valens
persecuted orthodox believers, and put great pressure on Basil to remain
silent and admit the heretics to communion. Basil remained firm, and Valens
backed down. But trouble remained. When the great St. Athanasius died, the
mantle of defender of the faith against Arianism fell upon Basil. He strove
mightily to unite and rally his fellow Catholics who were crushed by tyranny
and torn by internal dissension. He was misunderstood, misrepresented,
accused of heresy and ambition. Even appeals to the pope brought no
response. "For my sins I seem to be unsuccessful in everything."
He was tireless in pastoral care. He preached twice a day to huge crowds,
built a hospital that was called a wonder of the world (as a youth he had
organized famine relief and worked in a soup kitchen himself) and fought the
prostitution business.
Basil was best known as an orator. His writings, though not recognized
greatly in his lifetime, rightly place him among the great teachers of the
Church. Seventy-two years after his death, the Council of Chalcedon
described him as "the great Basil, minister of grace who has expounded the
truth to the whole earth."
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