Editing Basil of Caesarea (section)

==Liturgical contributions==
Basil of Caesarea holds a very important place in the history of [[Christian liturgy]]. That St. Basil composed a liturgy, or rather reformed an existing liturgy, is beyond doubt, since besides the constant tradition of the Byzantine Church there are many testimonies in ancient writings to establish the fact. Basil's liturgical influence is well-attested in early sources.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{CathEncy |wstitle=Liturgy of St. Basil| author=Goggin, John}}</ref>

Most of the [[liturgy|liturgies]] bearing the name of Basil are not entirely his work in their present form, but they nevertheless preserve a recollection of Basil's activity in this field in formularizing liturgical prayers and promoting church songs. Patristic scholars conclude that the Liturgy of Saint Basil "bears, unmistakably, the personal hand, pen, mind and heart of St. Basil the Great".<ref>Bebis (1997), p. 283</ref>

One liturgy that can be attributed to him is ''[[Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil|The Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil the Great]]'', a liturgy that is somewhat longer than the more commonly used ''[[Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom]]''. The difference between the two is primarily in the silent prayers said by the priest, and in the use of the hymn to the [[Theotokos]], ''All of Creation'', instead of the ''[[Axion Estin]]'' of John Chrysostom's Liturgy.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

The Eastern Churches preserve numerous other prayers attributed to Basil, including three prayers of [[exorcism]], several morning and evening prayers, and the "Prayer of the Hours" which is read at each service of the [[Daily Office]].{{citation needed|date=December 2020}}