On 2 January the church remembers Basil the Great (379) and Gregory of Nazianzus (389) bishops, teachers of the faith.

But who were Basil the Great and Gregory of Nazianzus?

Basil the Great, d.379
Basil was a bishop, a monk and a theologian. Along with his brother Gregory of Nyssa and Gregory of Nazianzus he is one of the three ‘Cappadocian Fathers’ whose thought developed the Church’s doctrine of the Holy Spirit and of the Trinity. Basil is not only honoured by the Church for his theological contribution, but also for his pastoral heart and for his care for the poor. He is known for his defence of the orthodox Nicene faith, particularly of the Trinity, and for the way in which he organized Eastern monasticism, emphasizing community life, liturgical prayer and manual work. His two collections of ‘Rules’ or ‘guidelines’ for monastic life, many of which were written as answers to questions that Basil was asked as he travelled on pilgrimages, are still influential today.

Born into an educated and privileged family, Basil never lost the love of classical literature, rhetoric and philosophy that formed his early training. He viewed Christianity as a faith that encompassed the great philosophies and cultures of the day rather than one which fought against them. His theology drew from the advances in thought of those around him, but clearly held to Christian principles and doctrine. Basil initially lived as an ascetic, touring the monastic sites and communities of the East, before being ordained presbyter in 364 and then in 370 becoming bishop of Caesarea. During his tenure as bishop, Basil was in conflict with Arianism (which denied the full divinity of Christ) and with those who denied the divinity of the Holy Spirit. Basil is responsible for the insertion of the phrase ‘and the Holy Spirit’ into the Doxology, and his Liturgy is still used in the Orthodox Church throughout Lent.

As bishop, Basil established hospitals for the sick, homes for the poor, and hospices for travellers and strangers. Alongside his theological stance he was ceaseless in his efforts to bring unity to the Church, not only in the East, but also between East and West. He died two years before the Second Ecumenical Council at Constantinople, which brought order and unity to the Church and which was indebted to Basil for the theological and institutional foundations that he had laid. For contemporary Anglicans Basil’s influence can be seen most clearly in Eucharistic Prayer F in Common Worship: Look with favour on your people and in your mercy hear the cry of our hearts. Bless the earth, heal the sick, let the oppressed go free, and fill your Church with power from on high.

Gregory of Nazianzus, d.389
Gregory of Nazianzus (or Nazianzen) was born in Arianzus (Cappadocia) in 329. Along with Gregory of Nyssa and Basil of Caesarea he is one of the three ‘Cappadocian Fathers’ whose thought developed the doctrine of the Holy Spirit and of the Trinity. He is honoured by the Church as a theologian of great distinction. Gregory expanded the idea that salvation is a progressive journey into the Godhead and stressed that the agent of this journey is the Holy Spirit. He proposed the term ‘procession’ to distinguish the nature of the position of the Spirit in the Godhead, and demanded that the Holy Spirit receive full worship and equal honour.

Gregory started out as an orator and finished as a reclusive poet. In between he attempted to live a life of solitude and reflection but was continually pressured by others to be involved in church politics and theological disputes. His sensitive nature was not up to the task and he was unsuitable for the cut and thrust of political life, forever seeking a place where he could fulfil his desire for solitude and contemplation. Yet Gregory also longed for recognition and honour from his fellow Christians.

In 364 at the age of 34, Gregory was ordained priest at the insistence of his father. Such was his lack of enthusiasm for this calling that he initially ran away. In 372 he was consecrated Bishop of Sasima at the insistence of Basil of Caesarea. Once again he initially fled. In 380 Gregory was made Bishop of Constantinople. This time he made no attempt to avoid the appointment, perhaps considering that finally the honour was deserved. It was during his time at the small orthodox church there that he produced some of his best known and theologically important work on the nature of God and of the Trinity.

The greatest moment of Gregory’s life occurred in 381, when, as bishop, he presided at the opening of the Council of Constantinople. Unfortunately Gregory’s triumph at Constantinople did not last long. He was criticized for moving from one bishopric to another, he was ill-advised in key council decisions, and became a victim of inter-party rivalry. All this combined to result in Gregory resigning from his post. He returned to his family estate in Arianzus, wrote poetry, and lived the ascetic life of which he had dreamed for so long. And so, Father, grant to me, by spirit and soul by mouth and mind in purity of heart to give you glory. Amen

A Prayer

Lord God,
whose servants Basil and Gregory
proclaimed the mystery of your Word made flesh,
to build up your Church in wisdom and strength:
grant that we may rejoice in his presence among us,
and so be brought with them to know the power of your unending love;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.

Extract from Saints on Earth: A biographical companion to Common Worship by John H Darch and Stuart K Burns