ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN JANUARY Saints celebrated on the 2nd of January WELCOME! SAINT BASIL THE GREAT AND SAINT GREGORY NAZIANZEN Saint Basil and Saint Gregory were life-long friends. SAINT BASIL Basil was born at Caesarea in Cappadocia about A.D. 330. His family was Christian. He was a brilliant student, but for some years followed a monastic way of life. In 370 he was appointed Bishop of Caesarea. His monastic rules are still followed today by monks of the Eastern Church. He actively fought against the Arian heresy; he defended the poor, and did much to help them. He died January 1, 379. SAINT GREGORY Gregory was born near Nazianzus, also in Cappadocia, and also about A.D. 330. He, too, followed the monastic way of life for some years. He was ordained priest, and became Bishop of Constantinople in 379, when the Arian controversy was at its height. He was forced to retire to Nazianzus, where he died on January 25, 389, or 390. His learning and his powers of oratory were ...