Orthodox Parables and Stories: When St. Ephraim the Syrian met St. Basil the Great

Once the Monk Ephraim the Syrian, who lived in the wilderness, began to ask God to reveal to him how much Saint Basil the Great had succeeded in spiritual work. His prayer was heard, and he saw a pillar of fire extending from earth to heaven.And at the same time a voice was heard: “Ephraim, Ephraim! As great as the pillar of fire that you saw, so great is Basil. " Then Ephraim, taking with him an interpreter who knew Greek, went with him to Caesarea, where Basil the Great was archbishop. They arrived in Caesarea on the very feast of the Epiphany of the Lord, and Ephraim immediately went to the church where Basil served. Seeing him in great glory and honor, surrounded by a host of priests, Ephraim turned to his companion: “We have labored in vain, brother! Is that how I expected to see him. Can he be great before the Lord when he is in such a rank and honor? No, in vain we have borne the burden of the day and the heat! And again I wonder how such a person can be like a pillar of fire. " Meanwhile, Basil the Great sent the archdeacon to call Ephraim to the altar. When the archdeacon conveyed Vladyka's invitation to Ephraim, Ephraim said: “Vladyka must have been mistaken: we are pilgrims, and he does not know us,” and remained in his place. Then the sermon began. And what happened? Throughout his sermon, the monk, to his horror, saw, as it were, a fiery tongue emanating from the mouth of Saint Basil. After the sermon, the archbishop said to the archdeacon: "Go tell the stranger to whom I sent you, like this:" Lord Ephraim, enter the holy altar. " The archdeacon said. Then the monk exclaimed: “Truly great is Vasily! The Holy Spirit Himself speaks through his mouth!” When, after the liturgy, he saw the archbishop, he said to him: “I am glad to see you, who multiplied the disciples of Christ in the wilderness and cast out demons in the name of Christ. But why did you come to see me? After all, I am a sinful man." Ephraim was amazed. But then, having received the Holy Mysteries from the hands of Saint Basil, he turned to him with a request that he ask Him to understand the Greek language. By prayer, the archbishop asked Him for this understanding, then ordained him first to the deacon, and then to the presbyter. 

(Archpriest V. Guriev. Prologue, p. 424).