Basil, << BAZ uhl, >> Saint (330?-379), was a leader in the early Christian church in the East. He was also known as Basil the Great. Basil greatly influenced the development of a form of religious community life called monasticism. He established many monastic communities and formulated rules (guidelines for monastic life) that are still followed in Eastern Orthodox Churches. Basil also founded hospitals and hospices, which are institutions for the care of sick and needy travelers.
Basil was born in Caesarea in Asia Minor (now Kayseri, Turkey), into a wealthy and educated Christian family. Basil lived a life of asceticism (self-denial) on his family’s estate for five years before being ordained a presbyter (elder) in the early Christian church about 362. From 370 until his death on Jan. 1, 379, Basil served as the bishop of Caesarea. Basil’s feast day is celebrated on June 14 in the Roman Catholic Church and on January 1 and January 30 in the Eastern Orthodox Churches.
