Category:Saint Basil the Great

Born: 329 or 330 in Caesarea, Cappadocia, Died: January 1, 379 in Caesarea, Cappadocia Honored in: Eastern and Western Christianity Canonized: Pre-Congregation Feast: January 1[1][2] and January 30[3][4] (Eastern Orthodox Churches) January 2 (Roman Catholic Church; Anglican Church) January 15 / January 16 (leap year) (Coptic Orthodox Church and Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church) June 14 (General Roman Calendar from 13th century to 1969; Episcopal Church; Lutheran Church) Attributes: vested as bishop, wearing omophorion, holding a Gospel Book or scroll. St. Basil is depicted in icons as thin and ascetic with a long, tapering black beard. Patronage: Russia, Cappadocia, Hospital administrators, Reformers, Monks, Education, Exorcism, Liturgists

(born in 330, died on January 1, 379, Memorial on January 2)
 * Basil the Great was born in the year 329 in Caesarea, Cappadocia, Asia Minor. He was the son of St. Basil the Elder and Emmelia, the grandson of his paternal grandmother St. Macrina the Elder, and the brother of St. Gregory of Nyssa, St Macrina the Younger, and St. Peter of Sebastea. His father died when he was young, and the family moved to live with St. Macrina the Elder at her estate in Pontus, Asia Minor. He was educated first in Caesarea, then in Constantinople, and finally in Athens. After meeting with Bishop Dianius of Caesarea, Basil visited the monks of Egypt, Palestine, Coele-Syria, and Mesopotamia. He was ordained a priest, and in 363 he was appointed to an administrative position in the diocese by its new bishop, Eusebius. He became the bishop of Caesarea in 370, and died on January 1, 379.