Family of Basil the Great

4th Century: Feast Day: January 2 (Basil)

Since the very beginning, families have played an important role in the spread of Christianity, like that of St. Basil the Great, who lived during the early days of the Church in Turkey. Although Basil might now be called “great’, he did not achieve that greatness or holiness in isolation. Nearly all his family members challenged him to be holy through their bold examples of faith! 

Basil’s grandfather was a Christian missionary who converted the inhabitants of his village, including his wife. When a wave of persecution came to the area, the family fled to the forest, where they survived for seven years foraging for food. During another wave of persecution, the family’s large landholdings were confiscated, and Basil’s grandfather died a martyr. Regardless, the family he left behind was boldly Christian, with children eager to live and die for Christ. 

Following the Edict of Milan in 313, which legalized the practice of Christianity, Basil the Elder (Basil the Great’s father) became a renowned teacher of the Faith. He married Emilia, whose parents had also died as martyrs. Together, Basil the Elder and Emilia had ten children, five of whom are venerated as saints. 

St. Basil the Great’s oldest sister, St. Macrina the Younger, was a headstrong and remarkably holy girl who took charge of the spiritual development of her family members. Though she was betrothed at a young age, Macrina’s fiancé died before the wedding. Macrina seized the opportunity to give herself to Jesus as a consecrated virgin. Years later, Macrina and her mother founded a community of nuns on the family’s property. The two women lived there in prayer until the end of their lives. Basil’s brother, St. Gregory of Nyssa, served as a bishop and fought the Arian heresy. A third brother, St. Peter of Sebaste, also became a bishop. Macrina, Gregory, and Peter have all been declared saints, along with their parents and grandparents.

Basil the Great is the most well-known member of this family of saints. As a young man, he had a profound conversion when he almost drowned. A brilliant young man, he went to study in Athens. His sister Macrina found him arrogant when he returned home after years of studies. She immediately called him out and challenged him to use his gifts in service to the Church. His sister’s words convicted him and set Basil on a new path.

After he finished his studies, Basil felt called to a life of prayer. He traveled to Egypt to study monastic life before returning to found a Potus monastery. After several years, he was called to leave the monastery and serve the Church as bishop. Basil, Bishop of Caesarea, became a champion of reform, relentlessly rooting out false teaching and abuse. The emperor was a promoter of the Arian heresy – a lie that denied the divinity of Jesus Christ – and put pressure on Basil to remain silent and admit heretics for the reception of the sacraments. Strengthened by the witness of his grandfather and the faith of his siblings and parents, Basil refused. 

Persecution followed, but Basil did not stand alone. He had his brothers. Gregory and Peter also served as bishops, and the brothers used letters to stay connected throughout this time. Some of Gregory’s most important writings were composed as a letter at the request of his brother. United in the truth, Basil, Gregory, and Peter preserved the Church from error and challenged each other in holiness. And yet, they were still brothers, sometimes disagreeing with each other. Evidence in a few of their letters shows that, although he loved and respected Gregory, Basil sometimes found him annoying.

St. Basil the Great is honored as a Doctor of the Church and celebrated for his profound impact on monastic life and theology. His journey toward sainthood grew out of the holiness of his family. The holiness of his grandfathers, grandmothers, father, mother, siblings, and friends challenged him to be a saint. 

Christian families, remember that it is impossible to pursue holiness alone. Link arms with your family members and march toward heaven together. Encourage and challenge each other to use all of your gifts in service of our great king and Lord Jesus Christ.

St. Basil the Great and your entire family of saints, pray for us!