Athens, 356 AD In his first week away from home, Basil made friends with the Emperor's nephew, found a renowned teacher and won a heated debate. But now, all of that is on the line, as his new friends invite him to join in a pagan ritual, an occult mockery of the mass. Will Basil keep on the narrow way, or follow his new friends and abandon the faith? Is this the conclusion of your argument, Basil? Are the Eleusinian mysteries we're studying pagan philosophers leads you? No, this is not what I argued for. Basil, Maximus has taken you on, given you this opportunity, and now you're going to just walk away from him? People will notice. Will you embarrass him like this? Julian, I am a Christian. So am I. Well then, stand up for your Christian faith. A good Christian would have more respect for the authorities that have been placed over him. Enough, Julian. Come with me. Let Basil go back to his Christian friends. Let's go, Basil. I'll bishop you Stathias. I stand by what I said. You've said enough for one day. Did someone appoint you to be my judge and jury? I'm your friend. I'm just trying to look out for you. I don't think Maximus is a trustworthy teacher. It's not as if he teaches philosophy and religion, Gregory. It's rhetoric, debate. He is giving me tactics to rise up in the world. You cannot have what the world offers and God as well. That's not fair. I... God be with you, Basil. But, Gregory, wait! Gregory! Lord, what is happening to me? Gregory's my best friend. I want to go home. Bishop Eustathias, I'm sorry to interrupt. Basil? What are you doing here? I'm sorry. I just... Well, I have a few questions. What are your questions? My family are all good Christians. Martyrs, bishops, and Gregory, he is a good Christian. Oh, yes. The boy would make a good priest. Yes. But in Athens, I've met others. Julian. The emperor's nephew? Yes. And he spends his time with pagans and does what the pagans do. Oh, a dangerous game that he plays. And his mentor, Maximus. They... Well, they seem to be good people. Affable, intelligent, studious. Are you going to ask me a question? Can someone read the works of the pagan philosophers and learn true virtue? Christian virtue. Oh, Basil. Scripture is breathed of the Holy Ghost. The writing of the pagans are the work of men's hands. Yes, but they surely came to some truth. No wisdom comes from their lips. No wisdom at all comes from the lips of the pagans. What can you gain from the pagan writings that you cannot gain from the holy gospels? Surely there is some good. Even John's gospel says that the world could not contain enough books for all the things the Lord Jesus did if they were written down. What does a prophet man to gain the whole world but lose his soul? I know that verse. And yet you stand here trying to gain the whole world. Do you think I will lose my soul? If you associate with pagans, read their writings and do as they do. They fall into error and into sin. What hope do you have? And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life. You think my new friends are bound for damnation? Maximus, Julian, Julian is baptized. If they do not repent, the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God. Then what about me? I seek a life of virtue, even if it is with the aid of pagan philosophers. Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it. Whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. I seek life, Bishop. That is something you will need to work out with Christ the Lord. With fear and trembling. I can't do this anymore. Where are you going? Home. If anyone can teach me the right path to walk, it's Mother and Makrina. The End Beneath that tenderness of heart, we take refuge of theotokos. To stay not our supplications in our necessity, but deliver us from perils, O only pure and blessed one. Makrina, this is a beautiful community. I'm lucky to live in it. Well done, daughter. We are blessed. Wherever two or three are gathered in his name, there he is in the midst of them. Let's solve this. Basil? Basil? What are you doing here? You're supposed to be in Athens. I left. Why? What happened? Are you sick? Are you in trouble? Maybe my soul is. Oh, what did you do? Nothing bad, Mother. Well, not yet at least. But I was on a broad road trying to gain the whole world. I realize now that gaining the whole world means nothing if it comes at the price of my soul. This was a revelation to you? Makrina, don't pick a fight. It's okay, Mother. Who are these other women here? Makrina has invited them to live with us. We live and pray together. Sort of like the monks. Monks? What are monks? Strange, holy men who go out into the desert? It is a whole movement. What do they do out in the desert? Pray, read the scriptures, die to themselves. They live for Jesus alone. And how are these women here like that? We live, work, and pray together. I don't get the comparison. Like you said, what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul? The monks forsake the world and gain a hundred folds. We are trying to do the same here. Interesting. The Lord speaks clearly when you meditate on the gospel's basil. But it sounds like you know something about that already. Something like that? And if not, well, maybe you should try it sometime. Maybe I will. It would be good for you. I'm glad you're home. I suggest you take Makrina's advice. She is very wise. Hmm. Oh, blessed Lord, do I walk through the valley of the shadow of death? Light my path. Lead me to the tree of life by the light of the gospel. The gospel according to Matthew. Basil? What is that terrible noise? Basil, why are you moving your bed? I don't need a bed anymore. Where are your shoes? I gave them to a beggar yesterday. Basil, you cannot go on giving our belongings away. Yesterday you gave a beggar my woven blanket. I don't want to gain anything from the world anymore. I reject the world. And where is this coming from? I've been reading the gospels. You were right, Makrina. Right about what? The Lord speaks clearly when you meditate on His word. I must reject the world! Shouldn't you run towards Christ rather than run away from the world? Oh, you know, Makrina, you're right. Again. I've renounced the world, giving up everything. I must see Christ now and Him alone. Basil, where are you going? I'm leaving. Not again. Where are you going? To see Christ. Where exactly? I... I think I will go out into the desert like one of those monks you told me about. Why don't you live here like a monk? Like Makrina, like these women she's brought here? Stay, my son, please. I'm worried about you. Let him go, mother. But... But... Let him find Jesus in the desert. Thank you. Lord, it's so hot. I have no food. No water. How do you provide for these desert monks? I'm not going to survive. I need to get out of this heat. Lord... A cave! Here I am. I have left everything for you. Where are you, Lord? Hello? Hello? Did someone stumble in here? Hello? Oh, well, there you are. Hello? Go. Leave me alone, please. Friend, you are dying here. I'm going to take a shower. Thank you. What are you doing here? I... I am seeking Christ alone. He will save me. Perhaps Christ has sent you to me. No, no, please. Leave me alone. What does a prophet a man... gain the whole world? But... I renounce everything. Please. Go. I think you are confused. Go, please. But this is my cave. I live here. You... live here?
