Hierarch · c. 330–379
Basil the Great
Saint Basil the Great, Archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia
New Calendar January 1 Old Calendar January 14
Why they are a saint
One of the Three Holy Hierarchs; wrote the longer Divine Liturgy still used on a handful of days, organized monastic life, and defended the faith against Arianism. The years given for this life are c. 330–379. The faithful ask his prayers as they do of the bishops who shepherded the Church.
Patronage / why chosen as patron
Patron of students and teachers, monastics, liturgists, because he lived the monastic life of prayer and asceticism and he taught and wrote in defence of the faith.
Prayer
O holy Basil the Great, pray to God for us.
A short general prayer to a saint, not a liturgical text. No public-domain troparion for this saint is included.
Do not confuse with Basil of Ancyra; other Basils of Russia.