Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Series 1, Vol. 8 (Augustine: Exposition on Psalms)

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Following his visit to Constantinople and the reconciliation on his deathbed, the form of error known as Macedonianism arose—a movement St. Basil would later combat with great success in his treatise Of the Spirit. It combined disloyalty to the Holy Spirit and the Son. However, countervailing events occurred, such as the acceptance of the HomoousionThe doctrine that the Son is of the same substance as the Father. by the Council of Paris, and the publication of Athanasius’s letters to Serapion concerning the divinity of the two assailed Persons. Basil’s compilation of the Moralia is dated to this period.

The brief reign of Julian the Apostate affected Basil and the whole Church in two ways: he felt relief at the comparative tolerance shown to Catholics, which allowed orthodox bishops to return to their sees; yet he was distressed to witness his old friend’s attempts to ridicule and undermine the Christian faith. More personal and immediate sorrow was caused by the harsh treatment of Cæsarea and the cruel taxes levied on Cappadocia. We can only speculate about the conduct of the Cæsareans that led Gregory of Nazianzus to describe Julian as justly offended. It may have been the somewhat disorderly proceedings surrounding the appointment of Eusebius as successor to Bishop Dianius. However, there is no doubt regarding the suffering of Cæsarea, or the martyrdom of Eupsychius and Damas, who were punished for their role in destroying the Temple of Fortune.

The exact role Basil played in the election of Eusebius remains a matter of conjecture. Eusebius, like Ambrose of Milan, was a high-ranking, influential layman who was elevated to the episcopate per saltumLatin: "by a leap," meaning promoted to a high office without passing through intermediate stages.. Julian and some Christian objectors tried to have the appointment annulled through Gregory, Bishop of Nazianzus, claiming it had been achieved through violence. Bishop Gregory refused to take any backward steps, believing that the scandal of accepting a tumultuous appointment was better than canceling the consecration. Gregory the younger presumably supported his father and links Basil to the situation as a likely target of imperial vengeance. However, since the younger Gregory was at Nazianzus during the election, it is more probable that Basil was the active agent.

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Basil’s receipt of the letter from Athanasius, mentioned in Letter 204, can be dated to this period. Upon the accession of Jovian in June 363, Athanasius wrote to him upholding the Nicene Faith, though he was also greeted by a Semi-Arian manifesto from Antioch, of which Meletius was the first signatory.

Valentinian and Valens, upon their accession the following year, found the Church still divided on its core doctrines, and the lists were drawn for the conflict in which Basil would henceforth be a more prominent combatant.

V. — THE PRESBYTERATE.

Not long after the accession of Valens, Basil was ordained a presbyter by Eusebius. An earlier date has been suggested, but 364 is accepted as it aligns better with Gregory’s comments regarding the free speech conceded to heretics. From the same letter, it can be concluded that Basil’s ordination, like that of Gregory himself, was not entirely voluntary; he was forced against his inclinations to accept duties for which he doubted his own fitness and desire. It was about this time that he wrote his books against Eunomius; perhaps this work specifically recommended him to Eusebius.