Nicholas Kabasilas
Nicholas Kabasilas or Cabasilas was a Byzantine mystic and theological writer.
Kabasilas is a saint within the Orthodox Church. His feast day is June 20. The Roman Catholic Church uses extracts from his Life in Christ as readings in the Liturgy of the Hours.Life
He was on intimate terms with the emperor John VI Kantakouzenos, whom he accompanied in his retirement to a monastery. He was once thought to have succeeded his uncle Neilos Kabasilas as archbishop of Thessalonica; however contemporary records of that see do not show Nicholas as serving in the capacity of archbishop. It is more likely that he served as a priest at the Mangana Monastery at Constantinople.
In the Hesychast controversy he took the side of the monks of Mount Athos and Saint Gregory Palamas.Works
His chief work is his Περὶ τῆς ἐν Χριστῷ ζωῆς, in which he lays down the principle that union with Christ is effected by the three great mysteries of baptism, chrismation, and the eucharist. Kabasilas' Commentary on the Divine Liturgy displays a profound understanding of the sacramental and liturgical life of the Eastern Orthodox Church. He also wrote homilies on various subjects, and a speech against usurers, printed with other works in Migne, Patrologia Graeca, c. i. A large number of his works is still extant in manuscript.
