Basil the Great

c. 330 – 379 · Cappadocia

Biography

Bishop of Caesarea and eldest Cappadocian Father; framed the post-Nicene defense of the Holy Spirit's divinity.

The bread you store up belongs to the hungry; the coat that lies in your chest belongs to the naked.
On Social Justice (Homily 6)

Writings

  • On the Holy Spirit
  • Hexaemeron
  • Longer and Shorter Rules

Influence

Shaped Eastern monastic life and Trinitarian theology in view of Constantinople I (381).