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

Rezensionen / Stimmen

'Fr. Dumitrascu succeeds in his book to perceive the truth behind the phenomena and the mere estimation. This truth is consisted in the transformed mind of a saint, which depending upon the variety of his personal gifts, gives him a clear and whollistic spiritual vision and enables him to act accordingly. The author dignifies the unique spiritual beauty and power of the Bishop Basil of Caesarea and the ways these were unfolded in his life and action.' - Marina Kolovopoulou, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens

'Fr. Dumitrascu examines an aspect of Basil's 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.' - Metropolitan Kallistos Ware, University of Oxford

'Dumitrascu succeeds here in delving into two relevant facets of Basil's political activities. First, his strategy towards a hostile imperial power through his letters targeted to important officials of the court. Second, the author analyzes in detail Basil's mission in Armenia in 372-373 on behalf of emperor Valens by putting it in relation with Catholicos Nerses own missions. As an unexpected consequence from Basil's powerful confrontation with the emperor, that mission did not bring all the expected fruits though.' - Pablo Argarate, University of Graz

'St. Basil of Caesarea is not known well enough in the West except for his influence on the Orthodox liturgy, as the father of Greek monasticism and as a close friend of Gregory of Nazianzus. In his amazing book Professor Dumitrascu sheds a welcome new light on other sides of Basil's influence, for instance in Armenia, and especially in definitions of theology after Arius.' - Benedicta Ward, University of