Saint Basil the Great

He is one of the greatest Fathers and theologians of the Church. Born in Cappadocia, he studied rhetoric in Constantinople and philosophy, literature and science in Athens. In the year 970, he was elected a bishop ofCaesarea. In a very short period of time, he established himself as a remarkable theologian, a popular pastor, a successful founder of Christian monasticism, a unique organizer of philanthropic institutions, of a system of welfare, and above all as a heroic and saintly model of Christian life.
The most famous of his works are "The Divine Liturgy”, "To the Young People that they May be Benefited from Pagan Writings”, "On the Six Days of Creation”, "Long and Short Rules”, "A Commentary on the Psalms”, "On the Holy Spirit”, his numerous letters and many others. He died in December 378 AD and his memory is celebrated by the Church on January 1st. (Source: VOICES IN THE WILDERNESS: An Anthology of Patristic Prayers, Holy Cross Press, Brookline, 1988. Edited and translated from the Greek by Nikolaos S. Hatzinikolaou, p. 52)