Summary
In 363, the Virgin appeared to the Bishop Basil (330-379) as "Sovereign Mediatrix of her Son Jesus," promising to protect against the Roman emperor Julian the Apostate who had a mind to destroy the church of the Holy. Basil, a staunch defender of orthodoxy defined in the Council of Nicaea, he published a treatise on the Holy Spirit. He is considered the father of monasticism East Community and Doctor of the Church.
Source: "Marian Apparitions" by Marino Gamba Ed.Segno
About the visionary St. Basilio the Great
He was born in 330 AC. in Caesarea, Cappadocia ,to a family of ancient Christian traditions. He studied in Athens where he became a friend of Gregory Nazianzus. In the 356 back at home, he was baptized and began a period of ascetic life, traveling in Egypt, Palestine and Syria.
Returning to his homeland, he gave his possessions to the poor and retired to live as a hermit at Neocaesarea.
In 358 receives the visit of Gregory Nazianzen and he composed the "Philokalia".
In 364 he was ordained a priest by Eusebius of Caesarea. In 370 he succeeded him as bishop of Caesarea, and encouraged charitable works by building homes and shelters.
Basil has an important role in relations between the Churches of East and West. He appealed to Pope Damasus, to restore harmony between East and West to no avail. Devoted most of his life to seek the unity of the Church. He died in 379, at the height of his activities.
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