SAINTS BASIL THE ELDER AND EMMELIA | KAIROS GLOBAL | JANUARY 2021

Author: Joseph Santhosh & Bijie Santhosh

Basil, the son of notably devout parents, married Emmelia, whose father had died a martyr. Fleeing the persecution of Christians by the emperor Maximus, they hid for seven years in the wild mountains of Pontus. They returned to Caesarea, Cappadocia (modern Turkey) settled into a large home and were blessed with ten children. The most known among them are St. Basil the Great, St. Gregory of Nyssa, St. Macrina the Younger and St. Peter of Sebaste.

Saint Emmelia, a woman of excellent and virtuous character and of outstanding beauty, had lost her parents at an early age and married Basil to avoid the many dangers of the world. They were known for their works of mercy and zeal to help the poor and pilgrims. She was extraordinary in the upbringing of her children; taught them very early on to know and to treasure the Word of God. The children were thoroughly acquainted with the fundamentals of Catholic life. 

On the death of their famous son, Basil the Great, Saint Gregory Nazianzen, described the home life that Basil the Elder and Emmelia created, ‘The union of his parents, cemented as it was by a community of virtue, no less than by cohabitation, as notable … especially for generosity to the poor, for hospitality, for purity of soul because of self-discipline, for the dedication to God of a portion of their property.. However, their greatest claim to distinction is the excellence of their children.’

Basil the Elder died around the time his youngest, Peter was born. Emmelia after taking care of all her children, withdrew to a cloistered religious community she and her daughter Macrina had founded. All their children lived saintly lives and even today the Greek Church observes the ‘Feast of the Relatives of St. Basil the Great.’

Let us fortify our families through the intercession of St. Basil and St. Emmelia, asking that our children might go forth and transform the world. All the Saints – Basil the Elder, Emmelia, Macrina, Basil the Great, Gregory of Nyssa and Peter of Sebaste, pray for us and our families.