The Church remembers St. Basil the Great 

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Basil the Great was born around 330 in Caesarea of Cappadocia. In the family of St. Peter. Basil's mother Emilia (January 1), Sister Makrina (July 19), and brother Gregory (January 10) were canonized. His father was a lawyer, under his guidance Basil received his initial education, then he studied with the best teachers of Caesarea of Cappadocia, where he met St. Gregory the Theologian (January 25), and later moved to schools in Constantinople. To complete his studies, St. Basil went to Athens, the center of classical education.
In Athens, Basil the Great acquired all the available knowledge. It was said of him that "he studied everything in a way that no one else studies one subject, he studied every science to such perfection, as if he had studied nothing else. A philosopher, philologist, orator, lawyer, and natural scientist who had deep knowledge of medicine, it was like a ship so loaded with scholarship, as it is capacious for human nature."
In Athens, Basil the Great and Gregory the Theologian developed a lifelong friendship. Around 357, Saint Basil returned to Caesarea, where he soon embarked on the path of ascetic life. Basil, having been baptized by Bishop Dianias of Caesarea, was appointed a reader. Wanting to find a spiritual leader, he visited Egypt, Syria, and Palestine. Imitating his mentors, he returned to Caesarea and settled on the banks of the river Iris. Monks gathered around him. Basil also brought his friend Gregory the Theologian here. They practiced strict abstinence.; during hard physical labor, they studied the works of the most ancient interpreters of the Holy Scriptures. During the reign of Constantius (337-362), the false teaching of Arius spread. The Church called Basil and Gregory to the ministry. Basil returned to Caesarea, where he was ordained a deacon in 362 and a presbyter in 364. During the reign of Emperor Valens (334-378), a supporter of the Arians, Basil took over the management of church affairs during difficult times for Orthodoxy. At this time, he compiled the rite of the Liturgy, "Conversations on the Sixth Day," as well as books against Arians. In 370, Basil was elevated to the see of Caesarea as bishop. He became famous for his holiness, deep knowledge of the Holy Scriptures, great scholarship, and works for the benefit of church peace and unity. Amidst the constant dangers, St. Basil supported the Orthodox, affirming their faith, calling for courage and patience. All of this caused Ariane to hate him. He used all his personal funds for the benefit of the poor: he created almshouses, hospices, hospitals, and built two monasteries, one for men and one for women.
Arians followed him everywhere. St. Basil was threatened with ruin, exile, torture, and death. He said, "Death is a blessing to me. She will rather lead me to God, for Whom I live and work."
Illnesses from his youth, labors of teaching, feats of abstinence, cares and sorrows of pastoral ministry exhausted the saint's strength, and on January 1, 379, he passed away to the Lord, being 49 years old. The last words of the saint were: "Into your hands I commit my spirit" (Ps. 30:6).
After the death of St. Basil the Great, his body was buried in the tomb of the fathers, among the remains of his predecessors in the See of Caesarea and the relics of the honorable martyrs.
The church immediately began celebrating his memory. Contemporary of Basil the Great, Bishop Amphilochius (commemorated on November 23) This is how he appreciated his merits: "He does not belong to the Church of Caesarea alone, and he was useful not only to his fellow tribesmen, but he brought benefits to all countries and cities of the universe and to all people, and has always been and will always be a most saving teacher for Christians."
For a long time there was a debate in Constantinople about which of the three hierarchs should be given preference. One part of the people praised St. Basil (January 1), another stood for Gregory the Theologian (January 25), and the third revered St. John Chrysostom (November 13).
This led to ecclesiastical strife among Christians: some called themselves Basilians, others Gregorians, and others Johannites.
By God's will, in 1084, three hierarchs appeared to Metropolitan John of Evkha and, declaring that they were equal before God, ordered them to stop arguing and establish a common day for celebrating their memory.

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