January 2nd.
St. Basil the Great and St. Gregory of Nazianzus.

These two saints came from Cappadocia (Eastern Turkey); Gregory was born in 329, son of a Bishop, and Basil in 330 in a family which produced many saints. The two met and became friends when studying in Athens, and together were to spend a time of prayerful reflection as semi-hermits. In 370, Basil was made Bishop of the Cappadocian see of Caesarea, a position of great responsibility. Both Basil and Gregory wrote against the Arian heresy (Arius' teaching that Christ was human but not divine was widespread), and Gregory was sent to Constantinople to do so. He detested the intrigue of the Imperial city, but his teaching had great effect and was incorporated into the Council of Constantinople (381), which produced the fina1 form of the Creed recited each Sunday.

Basil's energies were directed into charitable works (he founded a model colony, known as the 'Basiliad', which was a kind of Christian hospice-village) and into the organisation of monastic life. The Rule of St. Basil is used by all monks and nuns of the Eastern Churches, and influenced St. Benedict in the West. Basil died prematurely in 379, worn out by his labours. Gregory retired to his native town of Nazianzus and a life of religious contemplation; he died in 389. Basil and Gregory are two of the four great Doctors of the Eastern Church, along with St. John Chrysostom and St. Athanasius.