SOURCE: "The Classics and the Greek Writers of the Early Church: Saint Basil," The Classical Journal, Vol. XIII, No. 8, May, 1918, pp. 579-91.

In the following excerpt, originally delivered as a lecture in 1917, Deferrari calls attention to Hellenistic influences in Basil's writings, particularly his "Address to Young Men," the Hexaemeron, the Homilies on the Psalms, and his letters. In the critic's judgment, these works demonstrate the value that Basil placed on classical learning as well as his indebtedness to Aristotle, Plutarch, and—most particularly—Plato.

The purpose of this paper¹ is to serve as a reminder of the close bond which exists between the masters of classical literature and many of the early Christian writers and to emphasize the great value in studying at least certain of the church authors for the acquirement of the fullest understanding of the great minds of antiquity. At the same time we would...