On Fasting and Feasts By Saint Basil the Great (Popular Patristics Series, Volume 50) Translated by Mark DelCogliano & Susan R. Holman

Saint Basil of Caesarea (c. 329–379) was more than a theologian—he was a bishop, a monk, and a tireless social activist. In this milestone 50th volume of the Popular Patristics Series, Basil offers surprisingly down-to-earth counsel on the things that consume our daily lives: eating, drinking, and the care of the body.

This collection features elegant new translations—most appearing in English for the first time—that bridge the gap between ancient spirituality and modern application. Basil tackles the gritty realities of human behavior, offering wisdom on:

• The Body: The community benefits of fasting vs. the destructiveness of drunkenness.

• The Will: Overcoming the hesitation to commit to Baptism.

• Resilience: How to remain thankful when facing personal loss and disaster.

• The Saints: Three rare sermons on local martyrs (Julitta, Mamas, and Barlaam).

Why read this book? This is a vital resource for anyone interested in "religion and the body." It shows how early Christian spiritual disciplines were never meant to be abstract, but were applied directly to the health of the community and the believer.

About the Translators:

• Dr. Mark DelCogliano (University of St. Thomas) is a renowned scholar of the fourth-century Trinitarian controversies and the translator of Basil’s Moral Homilies (PPS 47).

• Dr. Susan R. Holman (Harvard Global Health Institute) brings a unique perspective as a historian of poverty, medicine, and public health—perfectly suiting Basil's legacy as the founder of the first hospital.