St. Basil is called the Great because of his contribution to theology and the forming of Christianity. I call him the Great, for personal reasons. (1) The high school I went to was adjacent to St. Basil Seminary. I know those priests, very well. Father Martin Hyatt was a favorite, both for his prison ministry and my friend, Judee's cousin. Pray for him. It hasn't even been a month, since he died. (2) It is because of Basil, that I carry on the tradition of King Cake, at Christmas and Mardi Gras. As I remember the story, Basil negotiated the rich to give him their gold jewelry and coins. To distribute them, he put them in cake, and gave them to the needy. Don't you love that story? (3) Finally, Basil is St. Macrina and St. Gregory of Nyssa's brother. Imagine the dinner discussions, in that family.
Because of Basil's contributions the doctrine of the Holy Trinity has we Catholics blessings ourselves, in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He is famous for his defense against the Arian heresy. Basil offered free public hospitals, hospices, trade schools, and shelters for travelers and the homeless. He founded the rules for the Salvadorian Religious Order. Basil was not a hermit. His rule offered prayer, study, and work, in community. He also wrote many important works that are still in use.
Is that enough?
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