Saint’s Stories! #6

SAINT BASIL THE ELDER

Dying around 341 AD, we know more about his offspring than we do about Basil himself.

Basil was born to Christian parents who suffered persecution by some guy called Galerius. Because of that they moved from Pontus to the shores of the Black Sea. His Father was actually martyred. Basil became a preacher and died when his youngest son, also called Basil, was only 12 years old. He had married Emmelia, who was from a wealthy family, and they had at least 9 kids (possibly as many as 12).

Of these children, five are particularly well known for their influence. His oldest child, Macrina the younger, had a fiancé who her dad, Basil the Elder, had set her up with, but who died before they married. She didn’t try and remarry but went on to form a faith community of women. She died in 379.

Basil the Great is certainly the best known of Basil’s kids. As well as establishing a faith community for men (following in his older sister’s footsteps!) he was a renowned preacher, theologian and writer. Previously a lawyer having received a great education but gave it all up. He is well known for defending against the heresy of Arianism, that effectively taught that Jesus wasn’t God of the same substance of the Father.

Naucraticus was also a preacher but also lived a hermit-esque life, spending much time in solitude in the country, though he also enjoyed fishing and all sorts of other sports since he was good looking, strong, fast and able to pick up anything. He was devoted to the faith and was also a lawyer, though he died very young and suddenly.

Gregory of Nyssa and Peter of Sebaste were also active churchmen. They defended against the Arian heresy of the day, arguing and writing against particular heretics, and were influential in thinking about the Trinity. They were involved in the councils of their time as well.

That’s six saints for the price of one this month! But I want to focus mainly on Basil the Elder. Though he only had a few years to do it, he clearly shared the gospel with his children before he died. And those early years in a child’s life are so crucial in that. It’s not about whether they were full time like the 5 mentioned above that we know about, but whether they live gospel-centred lives as passed on from the older generation whether in full-time ministry or in everyday normal life (possibly like the others of his kids who we don’t know about).

This is quite poignant for me having just come back from my Grandma’s 80th birthday celebrations. Her two daughters and their husbands as well as her 8 grandchildren and some spouses are all Christians and living gospel-centred lives, some in full-time ministry. It’s made especially more poignant as my wife is now just over halfway through her pregnancy. We’ve already started praying for him/her and soon I will have that responsibility to share the faith with him/her.

Parenthood is not just a responsibility for a child’s physical and mental condition but more importantly for their spiritual needs and the sharing of the gospel with them. When you do so faithfully, look at the influence it can give in Basil’s case!