Saints› Basil the Great
January 2
Basil the Great
Basilius Magnus
Saint Basil the Great was the Bishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia and one of the Cappadocian Fathers. Born into a deeply Christian family around 330, he established rules for monastic life that remain foundational in Eastern Christianity. He was a fierce defender of Trinitarian doctrine against Arianism and a champion of care for the poor.