Today it was a hard decision whether to put the spotlight on Balthazar, one of the Three Wise Men or to focus on a more obscure Christmas character... Basil of Caesarea? St Basil - watercolour, ink, pencil - Wilma Simmons B is for St. Basil ... Most likely very few other than those with a Greek heritage would know of St Basil's connection with Christmas. Basil was a 4th century Greek bishop of Caesarea, an area of what is now known as modern Turkey. He was an intellectual theologian and writer, but better known for his care of the poor and underprivileged. Basil, from a fairly wealthy family himself, gave away all of his own material possessions to the needy. This act in itself qualifies him as demonstrating the true spirit of Christmas, but there are other aspects of his story which suggests that he might be the Greek traditional version of Santa Claus. On St Basil's Day ( 1 January), children receive gifts from St. Basil. . It is also a custom to serve...
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