Conversations

"Conversations" of St. Basil the Great are ranked among the best works of preaching literature. Based on the content of the conversation, they are divided into several groups: 1) dogmatic (Conversations 9, 12, 15, 26). For example, Discourse 9, “That God is not the Author of Evil,” was delivered in connection with the famine of 369 and is a striking example of Christian theodicy. Its main ideas: the cause of world evil lies in human freedom; evil has no independent existence. Discourse 24, “Against the Sabellians, Arius and Anomeans” (377) - contains a description of the main types of Christological heresies: Sabellians and Anomeans, as well as the doctrine of the Holy Spirit; 2) exegetical (Conversations 3, 4, 6). In conversation 3, “At the words “take heed to yourself” (Deut. 15:9)”, St. Vasily develops themes of improvement, knowledge of God and salvation. Discourse 4, “On Thanksgiving,” is an interpretation of 1 Thess. 5:16,18 on Christian joy. The main topic of conversation 6, “In response to the words “I will tear down my barns and build greater ones” (Luke 12:18),” is the Christian understanding of social justice; 3) moral (Conversations 1, 2, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 14, 20, 21). For example, 2 conversations “About fasting” were delivered before the start of fasting. Their theme is fasting as an equal-angelic state, characteristic of people still in paradise. In Discourse 11, “On Envy,” St. Vasily considers this vice as the root of all human passions; 4) educational - Conversation 22 “To young men, on how to use pagan writings” (365). This is one of the most famous works of St. Basil the Great. The main source of this conversation is Origen's letter to St. Gregory the Wonderworker, bishop. Neo-Caesarean, the influence of Plato (in anthropology and ethics) and Plutarch is also noticeable in it; 5) on holidays (Conversations 5, 18, 19, 23). There is a compilation of the 10th century, compiled from the conversations of St. St. Basil the Great Simeon Metaphrastus (see: “Moral Words”). Conversation 1. About fasting 1st Conversation 2. About fasting 2nd Conversation 3. On the words: “Take heed to yourselves” (Deut. 15:9) Conversation 4. On thanksgiving Conversation 5. In memory of the martyr Julita and the continuation of what was said in the previous conversation: on thanksgiving Conversation 6. On the words from the Gospel of Luke: “I will destroy my barns and the great one I will build” (Luke 12:18); and about covetousness Conversation 7. To those who become rich Conversation 8. Spoken during times of famine and drought Conversation 9. About the fact that God is not the author of evil Conversation 10. On the angry Conversation 11. About envy Conversation 12. At the beginning of the book of Proverbs (Proverbs 1, 1-5) Conversation 13. Incentive to accept holy baptism Conversation 14. On the drunken Conversation 15. About faith Conversation 16. On the words: “In the beginning was the Word” (John 1:1) Conversation 17. On the day of the holy martyr Barlaam (Spuria) Conversation 18. On the day of the holy martyr Gordius Conversation 19. On the day of the holy forty martyrs Conversation 20. On humility Conversation 21. About what should not be attached to everyday things, and about the fire that happened outside the church Conversation 22. To young men on how to benefit from pagan writings Conversation 23. On the day of the holy martyr Mamanta Conversation 24. Against the Sabellians, Arius and Anomeans Conversation 25. About mercy and judgment Conversation 26. Consolation to the sick You might be interested in: