Saint Basil the Great (329-379)

Saint Basil the Great was born to a noble family. He was on the path to becoming a famous teacher when he realized that his pride in his accomplishments might surpass his devoutness. After this realization, he sold all that he had, gave the money to the poor, and entered religious life. Basil established one of the first monasteries in Asia Minor, and his values and ideology greatly influenced Eastern monasticism. He fought tirelessly against the Arian heresy, which proclaimed that Jesus was neither divine nor eternal. In his fight to defend the true faith, he faced many obstacles, including being called a heretic himself. Frustrated by the lack of support he was receiving, even from the pope, Basil wrote, "For my sins I seem to be unsuccessful in everything." Basil was also diligent in the care that he gave to his congregation, founded a hospital, and fought against the immorality of prostitution. Saint Basil the Great is the patron saint of hospital administrators, reformers, and Russia.