6 - Fourth-century Asia Minor: the Cappadocians

Summary

Although Arianism was condemned at the Council of Nicaea (325), it flourished subsequently in Asia Minor, particularly under its champion, the emperor Constantius II (337–61). This may help to account for the paucity of orthodox Christian literature in the earlier part of the century. The last third of the century, however, saw the emergence of the three outstanding church fathers of Cappadocia, a region of eastern Asia Minor; they were Basil, his friend Gregory of Nazianzus and his brother Gregory of Nyssa. Theological descendants of Athanasius, they played a key role in the fight against Arianism, which was effectively suppressed by the time of the Council of Constantinople (381). They also contributed much to the development of eastern monasticism and helped to shape the Christian compromise with pagan learning. In the area of musical reference Basil is especially important, ranking with figures like John Chrysostom, Ambrose and Augustine.

Basil the Great (c.330–379)

He came of an exemplary Christian family that contributed several saints to the Church including his brother, Gregory of Nyssa. He was schooled in rhetoric, first at his native Caesarea and then at Constantinople and Athens; upon his return home to Caesarea in about 356, he taught rhetoric there as his father had before him. Within a short time, however, he renounced his career and devoted himself entirely to the religious life. He journeyed throughout Egypt, Palestine, Syria and Mesopotamia to observe the most famous ascetics and then established a monastic retreat on the Iris River near Neocaesarea in Pontus.