St. Basil the Great emphasizes the importance of both holy tradition and scripture in Orthodox Christian faith and practice. He notes that many traditions, such as making the sign of the cross and turning to the East for prayer, were not explicitly outlined in scripture but have been passed down through tradition. St. Basil also advocates for frequent reception of Holy Communion, stating that Christ said whoever eats His body and blood has eternal life, and sharing in life continually is the same as having life abundantly. He says the Orthodox at that time received Communion four times a week.

1. SPIRITUAL PATH
REMEMBERING SACRED TRADITION AND
REFERRING TO THE HOLY FATHERS OF THE
ORTHODOX CHURCH
Quotes from St. Basil the Great
A. Holy Tradition.
Of the beliefs and practices whether generally accepted or publicly enjoined
which are preserved in the Church some we possess derived from written
teaching; others we have received delivered to us ʺin a mysteryʺ by the
tradition of the apostles; and both of these in relation to true religion have the
same force. And these no one will gainsay—no one, at all events, who is even
moderately versed in the institutions of the Church. For were we to attempt to
reject such customs as have no written authority, on the ground that the
importance they possess is small, we should unintentionally injure the Gospel
in its very vitals; or, rather, should make our public definition a mere phrase
and nothing more. For instance, to take the first and most general example,
who is thence who has taught us in writing to sign with the sign of the cross
those who have trusted in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ? What writing
has taught us to turn to the East at the prayer? Which of the saints has left us
in writing the words of the invocation at the displaying of the bread of the
Eucharist and the cup of blessing? For we are not, as is well known, content
with what the apostle or the Gospel has recorded, but both in preface and
conclusion we add other words as being of great importance to the validity of
the ministry, and these we derive from unwritten teaching.
(Quote from St. Basil the Great’s work “On the Holy Spirit,” Patrologia Graeca 32, 188)
B. Frequent Holy Communion.
To commune each day and to partake of the holy Body and Blood of Christ is
good and beneficial; for He says quite plainly: “He that eateth my flesh and
drinketh my blood hath eternal life.” Who can doubt that to share continually
in life is the same thing as having life abundantly? We ourselves commune
four times a week: on the Lord’s Day (i.e., Sunday), on the Third Day (i.e.,
Wednesday), on the Preparation Day (i.e., Friday) and on the Sabbath Day
(i.e., Saturday); and on other days if there is a commemoration of any saint.
(Quote from 93rd Epistle of St. Basil the Great’s work “To Caesarea Patricia Regarding
Communion,” Patrologia Graeca 32, 484)