The Syriac version of the Hexaemeron by Basil of Caesarea

Corpus Scriptorum Christianorum Orientalium

by Basil the Great

The Syriac version of the Hexaemeron by St. Basil of Caesarea survives in Ms no. 9 of the Syriac collection in the Monastery of St. Catherine on Mount Sinai (written before 734 AD), and in fragments, of which the earliest dates from the fifthe century. It predates the surviving Greek manuscripts by four centuries. It is not a literal translation, but expands the text in a discursive manner - as is not uncommon in Syriac. The Armenian version was made from this Syriac text by the seventh century. The Syriac version of the Hexaemeron is thus valuable as a witness to the original, as a text of importance for Syriac literature, and as the intermediary for the wide diffusion of the Hexaemeron in Armenia.

Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

After 370, Christian leader Saint Basil, known as "the Great," Greek bishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia, vigorously opposed Arianism.

Arabic: باسيليوس الكبير
Greek: Μέγας Βασίλειος

People also call him of Mazaca in Asia Minor. He influenced as a 4th century theologian and monastic.

Theologically, Basil supported the Nicene faction of the church, not the followers of Apollinaris of Laodicea on the other side. Ability to balance theological convictions with political connections made Basil a powerful advocate for the Nicene position.

In addition to work as a theologian, Basil cared for the poor and underprivileged. Basil established guidelines, which focus on community, liturgical prayer, and manual labor for monastic life. People remember him, together with Pachomius, as a father of communal monasticism in east. The traditions of east and west consider him.

People refer collectively to Basil, Gregory of Nazianzus, and Gregory of Nyssa as the fathers. The Eastern Orthodox Church and Catholics gave the title of hierarch to Basil, together with Gregory of Nazianzus and John Chrysostom. The Catholic Church recognizes him as a doctor. The epithet "revealer of heavenly mysteries," sometimes refers to Basil.