Theological Term of the Week: Basil of Caesarea

Basil of Caesarea
One of the Cappadocian fathers, the brother of Gregory of Nyssa, who was bishop of Caesarea, and “a mighty theologian.”1 He lived from 330-379. Also known as Basil the Great.

• From 2000 Years of Christ’s Power by N. H. Needham:

Basil lived the life of a hermit in Cappadocia for some years, but in 364 the bishop of Caesarea, Eusebius, persuaded him to accept ordination as a presbyter and help him in his battle with the Arians in the Caesarean church. In fact, Basil effectively ran the church as the presbyter in whom Eusebius placed the greatest confidence. On Eusebius’s death in 370, the church elected Basil as its new bishop. In the conflict against Arianism, Basil proved a hugely effective practical Church leader, organiser and administrator, as well as a superb preacher. He was also a mighty theologian who wrote a highly important treatise On the Holy Spirit in 375, in which he argued for the Spirit’s full diety. Many have praised Basil’s sermons and treatises as the clearest, most beautiful Christian writings in Greek from the entire patristic period.

Learn more:

1. Got Questions: Who was Basil of Caesarea? and Who were the Cappadocian Fathers?
2. Theopedia: Basil the Great
3. Michael Haykin: “A beacon of fire shining from afar”: Basil of Caesarea’s friendship with the Syrian Christian, Eusebius of Samosata
4. Christian Classics Ethereal Library: Basil the Great

Related terms:

• Ambrose of Milan
• Apollinarius
• Athanasius
• Augustine of Hippo
• Cappadocian fathers
• Columba
• Cyril of Alexandria
• Gregory of Nanzianzus
• Gregory of Nyssa
• Gregory the Great
• Hilary of Poitiers
• Irenaeus of Lyons
• Jerome
• John Chrysostom
• Justin Martyr
• Maximus the Confessor
• Monica
• Nestorius
• Origen
• Patrick
• Pelagius
• Sabellius
• Tertullian
• Venerable Bede, The

Filed under Christian History

1From 2000 Years of Christ’s Power by N. R. Needham.

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