January 2—Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops and Doctors—Memorial

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January 2—Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops and Doctors—Memorial

St. Basil: 329–379
Patron Saint of monks, hospital administrators, reformers, and Russia
St. Gregory: c. 329–389
Patron Saint of harvests and poets
Pre-Congregation canonizations
Liturgical Color: White

Quote:
Much time had I spent in vanity, and had wasted nearly all my youth in the vain labor which I underwent in acquiring the wisdom made foolish by God. Then once upon a time, like a man roused from deep sleep, I turned my eyes to the marvelous light of the truth of the Gospel, and I perceived the uselessness of the “wisdom of the princes of this world, that come to naught” (1 Cor. 2:6) I wept many tears over my miserable life and I prayed that guidance might be vouchsafed me to admit me to the doctrines of true religion. ~Letter of Saint Basil #223

Prayer:
Saints Gregory and Basil, you were called by God to be a light in the midst of darkness during a time of great turmoil within the Church. Please pray for me, that I will never live enveloped in the darkness of this world but will always carry the light of Christ to scatter falsehood and sin, so that God may be glorified and souls may be saved. Saints Basil and Gregory, pray for me. Jesus, I trust in You.

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