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Saint Basil of Caesarea (c. 329–378/9 CE) was a monk, bishop, preacher, theologian, and social activist who had very down-to-earth views about eating, drinking, fasting, and feasts in honor of local martyrs. In this new collection of sermon translations—most offered here in English for the first time—Basil addresses such issues as drunkenness, hesitations over baptism, community benefits of...

No animal bemoans death: an implacable stomach neither sheds the blood of animals nor issues an order for their slaughter. The butcher puts down his knife and the table is content with plants. The Sabbath was given to the Jews, it says, that your donkey and your manservant might rest.51 Let fasting be for your household servants a rest from their perpetual labors, seeing that they serve you for the whole year. Give your meat cook a rest. Give your tablesetter a holiday. Stay the hand of your winepourer.
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