Memorial of Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops and Doctors of the Church
Today we celebrate the feast of Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen. These two fourth-century bishops are considered Doctors of the Church, and they share a feast together because of their close friendship during their lives. In fact, St. Basil’s brother, Greogry of Nyssa, is also a saint – together these three saints, who were from the Cappadocia region of modern-day Turkey, are known as the Cappadocian Fathers.
But this is more than just trivia – it’s a reminder that no one achieves holiness alone. Behind all the great saints are the people who made them, whether loving parents, encouraging friends, or even kind strangers. And if the Lord grants us the gift of holiness, we are called to share that first and foremost with those closest to us. Saints cannot exist in isolation; they always exist in communion, with God and one another. Saints Basil and Gregory understood this, and for that reason we celebrate them together. Imagine being a saint with your closest friend. Today, let’s pray for the grace to strive for holiness not in isolation, but in communion with those closest to us.