Sts. Basil and Gregory, January 2
Basil, bishop of Caesarea, and Gregory of Nazianzus were close friends from their student days in Athens. Basil wrote monastic rules still used in the East and built a whole complex for the poor and sick; Gregory was the great preacher of the Trinity. Both are Doctors of the Church.
On the General Roman Calendar, January 2 is a memorial: Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, bishops and doctors.
Other saints on January 2
- St. Macarius of Alexandria, monk (4th century)
Name days on January 2
In countries that keep name days, January 2 is the day for people named Basil.
| Name | Feast day |
|---|---|
| Basil | January 2 |
January 2 on the calendar
January 2 is the 2nd day of the year, with 363 days left until December 31. Here is the day of the week it falls on in the coming years:
| Year | Day |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Friday |
| 2027 | Saturday |
| 2028 | Sunday |
| 2029 | Tuesday |
| 2030 | Wednesday |
Keeping January 2
January 2 falls in the Christmas season. As a memorial, the saint is named in the opening prayer of every Mass celebrated that day. Families who keep name days often mark the day with a card, a candle or a favorite meal, and parishes named after the saint may hold a festival. If you know someone named Basil, it is a good day to send a note.
Saints of the week around January 2
| Date | Saint or feast |
|---|---|
| December 30 | St. Egwin |
| December 31 | St. Sylvester I |
| January 1 | Mary, Mother of God |
| January 3 | Most Holy Name of Jesus |
| January 4 | St. Elizabeth Ann Seton |
| January 5 | St. John Neumann |
The day before, January 1, is the day of Mary, Mother of God. The day after, January 3, belongs to Most Holy Name of Jesus. Looking for a name? Try the name day calendar or go back to today’s saint.