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Basilian can refer to a number of Catholic organizations, particularly within the Eastern Catholic churches. The oldest are the Basilian Monks, founded in 356, who follow the Rule of Saint Basil the Great. Known as the patriarch of the East, Saint Basil perfected the monastic institution in the Oriental Church, binding the monks by vows. The monastic rules and institutes of Saint Basil are significant because their reconstruction of monastic life is the basis for most Eastern Orthodox and some Greet Catholics monastic societies. While the monks of the Eastern Orthodox Church don't generally refer to themselves as Basilians, the Greek Catholics do. In 1631, the Order of Saint Basil the Great, also known as the Basilian Order of Saint Josaphat, is a Greek Catholic monastic religious Order. The Basilian Salvatorian Order (Basilian Order of the Most Holy Saviour) was founded in 1683 by Euthymios Saifi, bishop of Saida. It became one of the two main religious Orders of the Melkite Catholic Church, the other being the Basilian Chouerite Order of Saint John the Baptist, which was founded in 1696 by five monks, including Neophytos Nasri. The Basilian Chouerite Sisters, a religious Order of women, is the female branch of the Basilian Chouerite Order, and was founded in 1737 and approved by Pope Clement XIII in 1763. The Basilian Alepian Order is another religious Order of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church, founded in 1697 in Dhour El Shuwayr by Aleppine monks. Approved in 1710, the Basilian Alepian Order split from the main congregation, the Basilian Chouerite Order. Its female branch, the Basilian Alepian Sisters, was founded in 1740. The Congregation of Saint Basil is a community of priests, students for the priesthood, and lay associates. Founded in 1822, members of the Order are known as the Basilian Fathers. Whether or not they have a historical connection beyond the adherence to the Rule of Saint Basil, Basilian Catholic institutes will be listed in this category.

 

 

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