Hierarch 4th century

Peter Bishop of Sebaste

c. 340 – 391

Youngest brother of Sts. Basil the Great, Gregory of Nyssa, and Macrina, raised by his sister in piety and made bishop of Sebaste.

Feast Day

January 9

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Commemorated as

Our Father among the Saints Peter, Bishop of Sebaste

Life

Saint Peter of Sebaste (c. 340–391) was a fourth-century hierarch of Cappadocian Greek origin, the youngest of the ten children of Basil the Elder and Emmelia of Caesarea, a family renowned for its piety. He was born in Caesarea in Cappadocia (modern Kayseri, Turkey) and died in 391 at Sebaste in Lesser Armenia (modern Sivas, Turkey).

He belonged to one of the most remarkable Christian families of the patristic age: his siblings included Saint Basil the Great, Saint Gregory of Nyssa, Saint Macrina the Younger, and Saint Naucratius, while his grandmother was Saint Macrina the Elder. Raised after his father's death largely under the spiritual direction of his eldest sister Macrina, Peter renounced secular studies for a life of asceticism and biblical meditation.

Ordained presbyter by his brother Basil around 370 and elevated to the see of Sebaste in Armenia around 380, Peter took part in the First Council of Constantinople (the Second Ecumenical Council) in 381, which was convened against the heresy of Macedonius. He is venerated as a saint in the Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Oriental Orthodox churches, and is commemorated in the East on January 9.

Timeline 7 moments Read Hide

c. 340 Birth in Caesarea Peter is born in Caesarea, Cappadocia (modern Kayseri, Turkey), the youngest of the ten children of Basil the Elder and Emmelia of Caesarea, a wealthy Cappadocian Greek family known for its piety.
after his father's death Formation under Macrina His eldest sister, Macrina the Younger, greatly influences his religious formation, directing him toward a spiritual and ascetic life; Peter renounces secular studies to devote himself to biblical meditation. With his mother and sister he helps establish a monastic settlement.
by 358 Joins Basil's monastic circle Peter is among the like-minded disciples his brother Basil gathers around himself in the monastic settlement near Annesi in Pontus.
c. 370 Ordained presbyter Peter is ordained to the priesthood by his brother Basil the Great, and serves as Basil's confidential agent in ecclesiastical matters, heading the male monastic community near Annesi while Macrina supervised the female community.
c. 380 Bishop of Sebaste Peter is elevated to the see of Sebaste in Armenia.
381 Second Ecumenical Council Peter participates in the First Council of Constantinople (the Second Ecumenical Council), convened against the heresy of Macedonius.
391 Repose Peter dies at Sebaste in Lesser Armenia (modern Sivas, Turkey). He begins to be honored as a saint soon afterward.

Contributions & Legacy

3 contributions Read Hide

Family

Peter was the youngest of ten children born to Basil the Elder and Emmelia (Emily) of Caesarea, a wealthy Cappadocian Greek family celebrated for its piety. His maternal grandfather is recorded as a Christian martyr executed in the years before the conversion of Constantine I, and his grandmother, Saint Macrina the Elder, was a follower of Gregory Thaumaturgus.

Four of his siblings are venerated as saints: Saint Basil the Great, Saint Gregory of Nyssa, Saint Macrina the Younger, and Saint Naucratius. The household also included Theosebia the Deaconess. This concentration of sanctity in a single family is among the most striking in the history of the Church.

After their father's death, Peter helped found a monastery together with his mother and sister, the female community at Annesi supervised by Macrina while Peter later headed the corresponding male community.

Ministry and Contributions

Ordained presbyter by his brother Basil around 370, Peter worked as Basil's confidential agent in ecclesiastical affairs and oversaw the male monastic community near Annesi in Pontus. During provincial famines he distributed the resources of the monastery as charitable relief, and he received charitable funds from Olympias the Deaconess for distribution to the poor.

Though not himself a writer, Peter advised his brother Gregory of Nyssa on theological matters, and Gregory was inspired by him to compose works against the heresies of Arianism and Macedonianism. Peter stood with his brothers in defense of Nicene orthodoxy.

As Bishop of Sebaste in Armenia from around 380, he took part in the First Council of Constantinople in 381, the Second Ecumenical Council, which was convened against the heresy of Macedonius.

Veneration

Peter is venerated as a saint in the Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Oriental Orthodox churches, his canonization being pre-congregation. He began to be honored as a saint soon after his repose.

His feast is kept on January 9 in the East; in the Roman Catholic calendar revised after 2001 he is commemorated on March 26.

Notes

Brother of Sts. Basil the Great, Gregory of Nyssa, Macrina, and Theosebia.

Sources: OCA Synaxarion (oca.org), Jan 9