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[[Image:Stbasil.jpg|right|thumb|200px| St. Basil]]

[[Image:Stbasil.jpg|right|thumb|200px| St. Basil]]

'''Saint Basil the Great''' (b. 329, died 379) was a man of vast learning and constant activity, genuine eloquence and immense charity. St. Basil  became [[Bishop]] and Archbishop of Caesarea. He fought [[simony]], aided the victims of drought and famine, strove for a better clergy, insisted on a rigid clerical discipline, fearlessly denounced evil wherever he detected it. The father of [[monasticism]], he became a monk and he wrote a set of rules for the monastic life that are still used today. His contributions to the Church were many. An accomplished statesmanship, a man of great personal holiness, and one of the great orators of [[Christianity]]. He is called the [[Greek]] [[Doctor of the Church]].

'''Saint Basil the Great''' (born 329, died 379) was a man of vast learning and constant activity, genuine eloquence and immense charity. St. Basil  became [[Bishop]] and Archbishop of Caesarea. He fought [[simony]], aided the victims of drought and famine, strove for a better clergy, insisted on a rigid clerical discipline, fearlessly denounced evil wherever he detected it. The father of [[monasticism]], he became a monk and he wrote a set of rules for the monastic life that are still used today. His contributions to the Church were many. An accomplished statesmanship, a man of great personal holiness, and one of the great orators of [[Christianity]]. He is called the [[Greek]] [[Doctor of the Church]].

==Early Life==

==Early life==

St. Basil the Great was born one of nine children at Caesarea (now modern [[Turkey]]) to a strong Christian family, father [[Saint Basil the Elder]] and mother [[Saint Emmelia]]. He is the grandson of [[Saint Macrina the Elder]] and four of his brothers and sisters are also [[canonized]] [[saints]]. Basil studied in all the famous schools of the day; Caesarea, Constantinople and Athens. Saint Basil was distinguished for his brilliance of mind and seriousness of character. He was able, grave, industrious, and well advanced in rhetoric, grammar, [[philosophy]], astronomy, geometry, and [[medicine]]. After attending school and receiving an education, he opened a school of oratory and became a [[lawyer]]. He became well known for his teaching and speaking abilities. He was so successful, so sought after as a speaker, he was tempted by pride. Fearful that it would overtake his piety, he sold all that he had, gave away the money, and became a [[priest]] and [[monk]]. <ref>[http://saints.sqpn.com/saintb05.htm Saint Basil the Great] Star Quest Production Network</ref>

St. Basil the Great was born one of nine children at Caesarea (now modern [[Turkey]]) to a strong Christian family, father [[Saint Basil the Elder]] and mother [[Saint Emmelia]]. He is the grandson of [[Saint Macrina the Elder]] and four of his brothers and sisters are also [[canonized]] [[saints]]. Basil studied in all the famous schools of the day; Caesarea, Constantinople and Athens. Saint Basil was distinguished for his brilliance of mind and seriousness of character. He was able, grave, industrious, and well advanced in rhetoric, grammar, [[philosophy]], astronomy, geometry, and [[medicine]]. After attending school and receiving an education, he opened a school of oratory and became a [[lawyer]]. He became well known for his teaching and speaking abilities. He was so successful, so sought after as a speaker, he was tempted by pride. Fearful that it would overtake his piety, he sold all that he had, gave away the money, and became a [[priest]] and [[monk]].<ref>[http://saints.sqpn.com/saintb05.htm Saint Basil the Great] Star Quest Production Network</ref>

==Teacher==

==Teacher==