In Festo S. Basilii Magni (Jun. 14), Acta

In Festo S. Basilii Magni (Jun. 14), Acta

From Matins of the Feast of St. Basil the Great, Bishop, Confessor, Doctor of the Church
Online source: www.breviary.net

Second Nocturn
Absolutio: Ipsíus píetas et misericórdia nos ádjuvet, qui cum Patre et Spíritu Sancto vivit et regnat in sæcula sæculórum.R.  Amen.	Absolution:  May his loving-kindness and mercy assist us.  Who, with the Father, and the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth, for ever and ever. R.  Amen.
V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.	V.  Vouchsafe, Reverend Father (O Lord), thy blessing.
Benedíctio 4: Deus Pater omnípotens sit nobis propítius et clemens. R.  Amen.	Benediction 4:  May God the Father Almighty shew us his mercy and pity. R.  Amen.
Lesson iv
Basilíus, nobilis Cáppadox, Athénis una cum Gregório Nazianzéno, ejus amicíssimo, sæculáribus lítteris, deínde in monastério sacris mirabíliter erudítus, eum brevi cursum fecit ad omnem doctrínæ et morum excelléntiam, ut inde Magni cognómen invénerit.  Is ad prædicándum Jesu Christi Evangélium in Pontum accersítus, eam provínciam, a christiánis institútis aberrántem, ad viam salútis revocávit.  Mox ab Eusébio Cæsaréæ epíscopo ad erudiéndam eam civitátem adjútor adhibétur : in cujus locum póstea succéssit.  Is Fílium Patri consubstantiálem esse in primis deféndit, ac Valéntem imperatórem, sibi irátum, miráculis ádeo flexit, ut, incumbéntem ad voluntátem ejíciéndi ipsum in exsílium, a senténtia discédere coégerit.	Basil was a noble Cappadocian who studied earthly learning at Athens, in company with Gregory of Nazianzus, to whom he was united in a warm and tender friendship.  He afterwards studied things sacred in a monastery, where he quickly attained an eminent degree of excellence in doctrine and life, whereby he gained to himself the surname of The Great.  He was called to Pontus to preach the Gospel of Christ Jesus, and brought back into the way of salvation that country which before had been wandering astray from the rules of Christian discipline.  He was shortly united as coadjútor to Eusebius, Bishop of Caesarea, for the edification of that city, and afterwards became his successor in the see.  One of his greatest labours was to maintain that the Son is of one Substance with the Father, and when the Emperor Valens, moved to wrath against him, was willing to send him into exile, he so bent him by dint of the miracles which he worked that he forced him to forego his intention.
V.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis. R.  Deo grátias.	V.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us. R.  Thanks be to God.
R.  Invéni David servum meum, óleo sancto meo unxi eum : * Manus enim mea auxiliábitur ei. V.  Nihil profíciet inimícus in eo, et fílius iniquitátis non nocébit ei. R.  Manus enim mea auxiliábitur ei.	R.  I have found David my servant, with my holy oil have I anointed him. * My hand shall hold him fast. V.  The enemy shall not be able to do him violence ; the son of wickedness shall not hurt him. R.  My hand shall hold him fast.
V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.	V.  Vouchsafe, Reverend Father (O Lord), thy blessing.
Benedíctio 5: Christus perpétuæ det nobis gáudia vitæ.R.  Amen.	Benediction 5: May Christ bestow upon us the joys of life eternal. R.  Amen.
Lesson v
Nam et Valéntis sella, in qua factúrus decrétum de ejiciéndo e civitáte Basilío, sedére volébat, confrácta est.  Et tribus ab eo cálamis adhíbitis ad scribéndam exsílii legem, nullus eórum réddidit atraméntum ; et, cum nihilóminus in propósito scribéndi ímpium decrétum persísteret, ipsíus déxtera, dissolútis nervis, tota contrémuit.  His commótus Valens chartam utráque manu conscídit.  Ea autem nocte, quæ ad deliberándum Basilío data est, Valéntis uxor íntimis est cruciáta dolóribus, et únicus fílius in gravem morbum íncidit.  Quibus ille pertérritus, iniquitátem suam recognóscens, Basilíum accérsit, quo præsénte, puer cœpit convaléscere ; verum, vocátis a Valénte ad viséndum púerum hæréticis, paulo post móritur.	The chair upon which Valens sat down, in order to sign the decree of Basil's ejectment from the city, broke down under him, and three pens which he took one after the other to sign the edict of banishment, all would not write ; and when nevertheless he remained firm to write the ungodly order, his right hand shook.  Valens was so frightened at these omens, that he tore the paper in two.  During the night which was allowed to Basil to make up his mind, Valens' wife had a severe stomach-ache, and their only son was taken seriously ill.  These things alarmed Valens so much that he acknowledged his wickedness, and sent for Basil, during whose visit the child began to get better.  However, when Valens sent for some heretics to see the boy, he presently died.
V.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis. R.  Deo grátias.	V.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us. R.  Thanks be to God.
R.  Pósui adjutórium super poténtem, et exaltávi eléctum de plebe mea : * Manus enim mea auxiliábitur ei. V.  Invéni David servum meum, óleo sancto meo unxi eum. R.  Manus enim mea auxiliábitur ei.	R.  I have laid help upon one that is mighty, I have exalted one chosen out of the people. * My hand shall hold him fast.V.  I have found David, my servant, with my holy oil have I anointed him. R.  My hand shall hold him fast.
V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.	V.  Vouchsafe, Reverend Father (O Lord), thy blessing.
Benedíctio 6: Ignem sui amóris accéndat Deus in córdibus nostris. R.  Amen.	Benediction 6: May God enkindle in our hearts the fire of his holy love. R.  Amen.
Lesson vi
Abstinéntia et continéntia fuit admirábili ; una túnica conténtus erat : in jejúnio servándo diligentíssimus, in oratióne assíduus, in qua sæpe totam noctem consumébat.  Virginitátem perpétuo cóluit.  Monastériis exstrúctis, ita monachórum institútum temperávit, ut solitáriæ atque actuósæ vitæ utilitátes præcláre simul conjúngeret.  Multa erudíte scripsit ; ac nemo, teste Gregório Nazianzéno, sacræ Scriptúræ libros vérius aut ubérius explicávit.  Obiit Kaléndis Januárii, cum tantum spíritu vivens, præter ossa et pellem, nulla prætérea córporis parte constáre viderétur.	The abstinence and self-control of Basil were truly wonderful.  He was content to wear nothing but one single garment.  In observance of fasting he was most earnest, and so instant in prayer, that he would oftentimes pass the whole night therein.  His virginity he kept always unsullied.  He built monasteries, wherein he so adapted the institution of monasticism, that he exquisitely united for the inmates the advantages of the contemplative and of the active life.  He was the author of many learned writings, and, according to the witness of Gregory of Nazianzus, no one hath ever composed more faithful and edifying explanations of the books of the Holy Scripture.  He died upon the 1st day of January, at which time so essentially spiritual was his life, that his body shewed nothing but skin and bones.
V.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis. R.  Deo grátias.	V.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us. R.  Thanks be to God.
St. Basil's Cathedral, Moscow
R.  Iste est, qui ante Deum magnas virtútes operátus est, et omnis terra doctrína ejus repléta est : * Ipse intercédat pro peccátis ómnium populórum.V.  Iste est, qui contémpsit vitam mundi, et pervénit ad cæléstia regna. R.  Ipse intercédat pro peccátis ómnium populórum.V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto. R.  Ipse intercédat pro peccátis ómnium populórum.	R.  This is he who wrought mighty deeds and valiant in the sight of God, and all the earth is filled with his doctrine: * May his intercession avail for the sins of all the people.V.  He was a man who despised the life of the world and attained unto the kingdom of heaven. R.  May his intercession avail for the sins of all the people.V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. R.  May his intercession avail for the sins of all the people.