Memorial of Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen,
Bishops and Doctors of the Church
(I john 2:22-28; John 1:19-28)
Today’s patron saints were great theologians of the fourth
century. Both merited to be celebrated
separately as they were until 1969. However,
now they are remembered together because they were the best of friends. Moreover, their teachings on the Trinity set the
new year on a sound theological basis.
St. Basil is called “the Great” because of his many
accomplishments. He wrote a rule for
monastic life, reformed the liturgy, championed the poor, and demonstrated the
correctness of considering the Holy Spirit “God.” St. Gregory Nazianzen, a reluctant warrior, contended
with false doctrines and their advocates when he would rather have retreated to
his monastery. Gregory showed that the
Holy Spirit is not begotten of the Father like the Son but proceeds from Him. He also laid the foundation for the
Christological truth that Jesus is a single divine person with both human and
divine natures.
The issues that Basil and Gregory Nazianzen dealt with are
largely academic. Yet they have critical
applications in our lives. How are we to understand our redemption if not by
one with both a human and a divine nature? How are we to explain the healing effects of
the sacraments if not by the working of the Holy Spirit? These teachings, based on the Scriptures,
make our faith both credible and coherent.
