Saint Basil the Great
1. Saint Basil The Great
January 1
He was born about 330 A.D. in Caesarea of
Cappadocia, of a family who was educated, rich
And devout. He was educated in Constantinople
And Athens where he had as a schoolmate
Gregory the Theologian.
Early in life, he became a lawyer. However,
The influence of his grandmother Macrene and
His mother Emmelia made him devote himself to
The Church. He visited the hermits of his time
And he, too, tried the life of a monk for a short
Period of time. He was ordained a priest in 362
And was elevated to bishop of Caesarea in 370.
He is distinguished as a great scholar as well
As a great philanthropist. He Organized phil-
Anthropic institutions, poor houses, orphanages,
Homes for the aged, hospitals, and asylums for
The blind and crippled - which were called
"Vasileias."
He wrote many theological works. He was
An ardent friend and extoller of Greek Letters.
He composed the Divine Liturgy which is
Celebrated ten times a year.
Together with Gregory the Theologian and
St. John Chrysostom, he is honored as one of
The Three Great Hierarchs of the Orthodox
Church (January 30).
He is a model of humanistic feelings and
Words.
**Our Friendship Is A Wonderful Feeling That I
carry In My Heart**
Because you are who you are,
We're friends
Weather it is your smile
Or laugh
That caught my eye
It was definitely your
Concerned attitude
That captured my heart.
When we first met, I felt like
I had known you all my life
I could talk to you so easily;
I could trust you with my
Innermost thoughts;
I I could laugh with you on
The spur of the moment
With you, my friend, I don't have to
Pretend to be anything that I'm not.
You accept me for who I am and what
I represent
You are that rare kind of person
Who cares enough to allow
And even encourage a person to be
Who they are
You have helped me through
What could have been a difficult time
"Thanks" just doesn't adequately
express my appreciation
but even more than that
I appreciate your friendship
It is one that rises fro our hearts
And will always be cherished.