St. Basil was born at Caesarea in Cappadocia of a fervent Christian family. After studying at Constantinople and Athens he became a monk in the province of Pontus. He wrote the famous “Rules” which bear his name and were praised by St. Benedict; they are still observed to this day by the monks of the East. On becoming Bishop of Caesarea Basil spared no pains to nourish his people’s faith with sound doctrine thus protecting them from the dangers of the Arian heresy which, after denying the Godhead of Christ, had come to deny that of the Holy Spirit also. St. Basil wrote a treatise on the Holy Spirit which is reputed one of the finest of theological works. With his brother St. Gregory of Nyssa and his friend St. Gregory Nazianzen he exerted great influence thus helping to uphold the Faith among Christians of the East. He died in 379, two years before the ecumenical council of Constantinople which secured the victory of orthodoxy. The Eastern Church venerates him as one of her four great Doctors.