Saint Basil the Great, Bishop of Caesarea

June 14 – St. Basil the Great, Bishop of Caesarea, 330-379 – (Modern RC: January 2)

Theologically, Basil was a supporter of the Nicene faction of the church, in opposition to Arianism. He was also known for his care of the poor and underprivileged. Basil established guidelines for monastic life which focus on community life, liturgical prayer, and manual labor. He is remembered as a father of communal monasticism in Eastern Christianity.