Catholic Fire

On January 2nd, the Church celebrates the memorial of Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, bishops and doctors. Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen are linked in this feast day, as they were in life; they were schoolmates, co-defenders of the orthodox teaching on the Trinity, and dear friends. Both served as bishops and suffered hostility from the politically powerful Arians. Born in Cappadocia around 330, they studied together in Athens and then returned to their homeland where they led a monastic life for several years. Gregory lived with Saint Basil in the beautiful surroundings at the monastery at Pontus on the Iris River. Their temperaments were quite different. While Basil had the qualities of a leader and a gift for organization that made him a legislator for monks in the east, Gregory was a contemplative and a poet.  Saint Basil the Great  Saint Basil the Great In his native city of Caesarea, Basil was a courageous pastor. He fed the poor and f...

Today is the memorial of St. Basil the Great and St. Gregory Nazianzen. It is also the ninth day in the octave of Christmas. By celebrating the feasts of St. Basil the Great and St. Gregory Nazianzen on the same day, the Church praises a virtue which has always been held in high esteem, friendship. The friendship between Basil and Gregory was admirable. Born in Cappadocia around 330, they studied together in Athens and then returned to their homeland where they led a monastic life for several years. Gregory lived with Saint Basil in the beautiful surroundings at the monastery at Pontus on the Iris River. Their temperaments were quite different. While Basil had the qualities of a leader and a gift for organization that made him a legislator for monks in the east, Gregory was a contemplative and a poet. In his native city of Caesarea, Basil was a courageous pastor. Through his writings and many interventions, he defended the independence of the church in the face of earthly power and pro...