Of all the great saints Christianity has had in its illustrious 2,000-year history, very few have earned the title “The Great.” Even fewer have been more influential and irreplaceable in their contributions to the integration of theology, pastoral care, and social responsibility in the life of the Church than St. Basil the Great of Caesarea (330–79). While Basil is renowned for his erudition and profound theological tracts and homilies, his indelible legacy extends far beyond the pulpit and the page. Basil was also a staunch social reformer.
In a world where government encroachment on the Church persists and where many look to the state as the benevolent solution to all of society’s ills, St. Basil’s enduring vision of a Church unbent by state power and animated by the call to serve inspires Christians to uphold their faith. It also reminds us of the power of private charity and philanthropy rooted in a flourishing civil society and social institutions as effective vehicles for advancing human dignity.
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