Nicu Dumitrașcu - Basil the Great: Faith, Mission and Diplomacy in the Shaping of Christian Doctrine

Regarded as one of the three hierarchs or pillars of orthodoxy along with Gregory of Nazianzus and John Chrysostom, Basil is a key figure in the formative process of Christianity in the fourth century. While his role in establishing Trinitarian terminology, as well as his function in shaping monasticism, his social thought and even his contribution to the evolution of liturgical forms have been the focus of research for many years, there are few studies which centre on his political thought. Basil played a major role in the political and religious life between Cappadocia and Armenia and was a key figure in the tumultuous relationship between Church and State in Late Antiquity. He was a great religious leader and a gifted diplomat, and developed a special relationship with Emperor Valens and other high imperial officials.

Nicu Dumitracu is currently professor of Patristics, Mission and Ecumenism at the Faculty of Orthodox Theology Episcop Dr. Vasile Coman, University of Oradea, Romania. He is widely published in several journals worldwide. His most recent books include Christian Family and Contemporary Society (2014), and The Ecumenical Legacy of the Cappadocians (Collected Essays) (2015).

Nicu Dumitracu

First published 2018
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2018 Nicu Dumitracu

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British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data
Names: Dumitracu, Nicu, author.

Title: Basil the Great : faith, mission, and diplomacy in the shaping of Christian doctrine / Nicu Dumitracu

Description: New York : Routledge, 2018. | Includes bibliographical references and index.

Identifiers: LCCN 2017045936| ISBN 9781472485861 (hardback : alk. paper) | ISBN 9781315568775 (ebook)

Subjects: LCSH: Basil, Saint, Bishop of Caesarea, approximately 329379.

Classification: LCC BR65.B36 D86 2018 | DDC 270.2092dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017045936

ISBN: 978-1-4724-8586-1 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-1-315-56877-5 (ebk)

Typeset in Times New Roman
by Keystroke, Neville Lodge, Tettenhall, Wolverhampton

PART 1
St Basil and Emperor Valens: dignity versus authority

PART 2
St Basil, St Nerses and Armenia: mission and church diplomacy

PART 3
St Basil and the art of diplomacy: meetings, methods and correspondence

PART 4
St Basil as model for a leader of Christian opinion: dignity, humility and culture

St Basil the Great is chiefly remembered for two things: first, for his defence of the full Nicaean faith; and second, for his insistence upon the social and philanthropic service rendered by monasticism. In the present book, Fr Nicu Dumitracu, Professor at the University of Oradea, Romania, examines an aspect of Basils life that is less well known, yet of great interest: his involvement in missionary work, and more especially his relations with Armenia. Basil is seen here not only as an eminent theologian but as a bridge-builder and diplomat, as a church leader of firm principles but also of moderation, strict, yet at the same time, gentle.

Nicu Dumitracu is already well known in the field of patristic studies through the excellent collective volume that he has edited, The Ecumenical Legacy of the Cappadocians, to which he himself contributed a sensitive account of St Basils friendship with St Gregory of Nazianzus. Here he enters more deeply into the personality and ministry of Basil. In convincing terms, he shows us how the Archbishop of Caesarea combined dignity with humility, holy fear and wide-ranging generosity.

This is a significant addition to Basilian studies, and should be welcomed by scholars of patristics, church history, and their students too.

Metropolitan Kallistos of Diokleia