In this second post in our Doctors of the Church series, we invite you to learn about three early Doctors of the Church and their contributions to the faith. From Saint Basil, who bravely fought against Arianism, to St. Cyril, who formulated one of the earliest statements of Christian theology, each of these men helped shape the doctrine of the early Church and draw others closer to the truth of the Gospel.
Saint Cyril of Jerusalem: 315-386 A.D.
Born in Jerusalem in 315 A.D., Cyril became a bishop in 348. At the time, the tentacles of the Arian heresy had reached throughout the Roman Empire, splintering the Church and pitting spiritual leaders against each other.
With his “diplomatic and conciliatory nature,” Cyril was loathe to take a strong stance against either persuasion. Dissatisfied with his ambivalence, many in the Church leveled slanderous accusations against him, and their schemes culminated in Cyril’s 16-year exile, alienating him for nearly half of his career as a bishop. Despite these obstacles, Cyril still managed to leave a significant impact on the faith. He was a father of the Eastern Rite and participated in the First Council of Constantinople (381 A.D.), which defined the equality of the Holy Spirit with the Father and the Son.
One of his works offers the “earliest statements of Christian theology we possess,” with guidelines for baptism candidates, a positive framework of belief, and an explication of the relationship between faith and works. In 1883, Cyril was declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Leo XIII.
Saint Gregory of Nazianzus, c. 325-390 A.D.
Born around the year 325, Saint Gregory passionately defended the doctrine of the Trinity during a critical period for the Church. Called “The Theologian” by historians, Gregory was baptized at age 30 and studied with his brother in Caesarea, where he met Saint Basil. At the time, Basil was just a fellow student, but the two would grow to be dear friends.
Over the years, Gregory assisted Basil in a number of efforts, including his battles against Arianism and his clashes with the Arian Emperor Valens. Unfortunately, Gregory’s desire to help Basil would ultimately culminate in the breaking of their friendship. When Basil established a See at Sasima, he consecrated a reluctant Gregory as its first bishop. But Gregory soon found himself as ill-suited to the position as he had predicted and left to serve his father in Nazianzus.
Following the death of Emperor Valens, Arianism no longer received imperial support, leaving greater opportunity for combatting the heresy. Despite his reservations, Gregory went to restore truth in the city of Constantinople in 379, preaching on the doctrine of the Trinity at his Chapel of the Resurrection (the Anastasia). These profound sermons would eventually become some of his most well-known works. Eventually, he returned home to Nazianzen, where he lived peacefully, composing many poems in the final years of his life. You can find him portrayed in the Basilica in the Baldachin.
Saint Basil the Great, 329-379 A.D.
Born in 329 in Caesarea, St. Basil lived when disagreements about Arianism were pervasive and divisive. Arius, a citizen of Alexandria, thought that Christ was created by the Father and was not fully God, and many began to follow his teachings. In response, the Church developed the Nicene Creed. Basil was influential in fighting the Arian heresy, writing many works to support the Church’s stance.
One of 10 children in a Christian family, Basil was baptized into the Church at age 29. In the years that followed, he lived as a hermit and eventually became archbishop of Caesarea. But his opposition to Arianism resulted in challenges to his authority even from the secular world; at one point, the Arian emperor Valens split Basil’s region into two dioceses to undermine his authority.
Despite the opposition he faced, Basil led with compassion, distinguishing himself as a moving orator and writer, and directing his attention both to the spiritual and temporal needs of his region. He preached as often as twice a day, cared for the needy, provided support during a famine, fought prostitution, and even built a hospital. He was also a prolific writer, penning many letters and books to defend the Church’s doctrine. You can find him portrayed in the East Portico of the Basilica.
Sources:
Butler’s Lives of Saints, ed. Bernard Bangley.
Rohling, Geraldine M., PhD, MAEd. The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception: Guide and Tour Book. Washington, D.C.: Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, 2018.
“Saint Cyril of Jerusalem,” Franciscan Media.
“Saint Gregory Nazianzen,” Franciscan Media.
“St. Gregory of Nazianzus,” Britannica.
“St. Gregory Nazianzen,” CNA.
“St. Gregory of Nazianzus,” New Advent.
The Way of Saints, Dr. Tom Cowan.