In this lecture His Holiness Pope Shenouda presents an overview of the Fathers of the fourth century and their role in defending the faith and the rise of monastic life, with particular focus on Saint Basil the Great and his siblings from one family.

Time and Influence of the Fathers

He clarifies that Athanasius the Apostolic preceded these fathers, and that four of the great fathers — Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, Gregory bishop of Nyssa, and John Chrysostom — formed after Athanasius and bore the banner of defending the faith in the East and Greece.

Life and Upbringing of Basil the Great

Basil was born in the year 329 AD from a large Christian family and the family lived a devout upbringing under the leadership of his sister Saint Macrina. He studied philosophy and deep studies, then his heart calmed toward the spiritual life; he studied the Holy Scripture and theology, and entered the life of solitude and asceticism before being ordained a priest and then a bishop.

His Spiritual and Social Works

He founded monastic communities in Cappadocia and Asia Minor and wrote rules for monastic and ecclesial life. His social activity addressed famines through charitable initiatives (philokalia), taking from the rich and distributing to the poor.

Defense of Doctrine and Struggle with Heresy

Basil was a brave defender against Arianism and wrote scholarly responses to local heresies, standing against Emperor Valens’s attempts to spread Arianism. He managed church affairs with wisdom and spiritual strength.

Episodes from His Episcopal Life

The lecturer recounts the emperor’s fear of Basil’s influence and repeated attempts to exile him, and the story of postponement of exile by apparent divine intervention in the trembling quill and then the death of Valens. Basil was consecrated in 370 as metropolitan of Caesarea in Cappadocia.

The Spiritual Family and Ecclesial Contribution

Basil consecrated his friends and brothers to smaller sees to grant them freedom for spirituality, saying the city’s fame should not give precedence but that the person enlightens the place. His brother Gregory Nazianzen and Gregory of Nyssa were placed in ministry with Basil’s support, and his sister Macrina was the family’s spiritual guide.

Gregory Nazianzen and Gregory of Nyssa

The two Gregories were distinguished in theology and eloquence; Gregory the Theologian was Basil’s friend and famed for powerful sermons, and Gregory of Nyssa initially loved the world but was drawn to chastity and wisdom by his sister Macrina and Basil, becoming theological and defensive pillars against heresies.

John Chrysostom and Other Fathers

John Chrysostom is mentioned as one of the marks of the fourth century in East and West, and other fathers like Cyril of Jerusalem, Epiphanius of Cyprus, and Syrian fathers (Ephrem and Jacob of Serugh) all enrich this great century.

Spiritual Conclusion

The fourth century is considered an age of great men of faith, theology, and monasticism; the fathers of this generation combined theological depth, monastic life, and social work, leaving a legacy that helps us strengthen the faith and live a life of renunciation and sacrifice.

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