Names Greek Male

Basil

Also: Basilios (Greek), Vasily (Russian), Basilio (Italian)

Meaning

Greek "kingly" or "royal" (basileus, "king").

Figure

Saint Basil the Great; fourth-century Cappadocian Father (c. 330-379).

Feast day

January 2 (Catholic, with Gregory Nazianzen); January 1 (Orthodox)

Traditions
CATHOLICORTHODOXANGLICAN

In the Christian tradition

Saint Basil the Great is the fourth-century bishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia, one of the three Cappadocian Fathers (with his brother Gregory of Nyssa and his friend Gregory of Nazianzus), Doctor of the Church. His Rule shaped Orthodox monasticism; the Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil is celebrated ten times a year in Orthodox practice. The Catholic calendar commemorates him on January 2; the Orthodox calendar on January 1.

Basil the Great (c. 330-379) is one of the principal figures of the fourth-century Christian East. His Hexaemeron (homilies on the six days of creation) and his Treatise on the Holy Spirit are foundational works of Christian theology. His Rule of Saint Basil shaped Orthodox monastic life and continues to do so today. The Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil is one of the two principal liturgies of the Byzantine rite, celebrated on the Sundays of Lent, on Christmas Eve, on Theophany Eve, on Holy Thursday, on Holy Saturday, and on Basil's own feast day. The Catholic calendar commemorates Basil on January 2 along with Gregory Nazianzen; the Orthodox calendar honors him on January 1. The name has been in continuous Eastern Christian use; in Russian (Vasily, Vasilisa for the feminine) and Greek (Vasilios) the name is among the most common.