Saint Basil the Great Mary, the Holy Mother of God On this day we honor Mary under her most important title: Mother of God. This feast day reminds us that the BlessedMother is always directingus towardher son, Jesus. Jesus said he was the Son of God, and from the very beginning of the Church, people wondered how it could be that Jesus is both human and divine. Some believed that Mary could only be called the mother of Christ in his human nature, but not in his divine nature. Born in the fourth century in the Middle East, in a country now known as Turkey, Saint Basil the Great was an important bishop in his time. He is honored as a saint in the Eastern Orthodox churches and in theCatholic Church, where he is also recognized as a Father and a Doctor of the Church, which is a notable teacher from the earlier centuries. Basil came froma remarkably holy family. His parents, Basil the Elder and Emmelia, are saints, and so are his sister Macrina and brothers Gregory and Peter. It was his sister Macrinawho inspired Basil to seek a religious life. A great meet ing was held in Greece in A.D. 431 to consider this question. Saint Cyril of Alexandria was among the bishops who argued that because Jesus is both true God and true man, Mary should be honored with the title God-Bearer, or Theotokos in Greek. The bishops, together with the pope, agreed. This truth about Mary emphasizes the unique and unparalleled role she plays in our salvation: through her, our Savior, Jesus Christ, came into the world. During a visit to a religious community she had founded, he was moved to tears over the Gospel. Basil wrote many letters on various disputes of his time. Known for his defense of the faith and stern rebukes of bad behavior, he also became known as a voice for the poor. A good deed is never lost... he who plants kindness gathers love. — saint basil the great 10 11 JANUARY 1 JANUARY 2
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