Saint martyr Basil, a distinguished citizen of Ancyra, was captured during the reign of Emperor Julian the Apostate for confessing the Christian faith and brought before the governor Saturninus. When asked about his faith in Christ, he boldly replied: “There is no other God but Him.” For this, he underwent severe tortures: he was hanged on a tree and scraped with iron instruments.
After this, the saint was sent to Constantinople, where he again suffered heavy torments. His body was stretched, his skin was cut off, and he was pierced with heated spikes. Ultimately, he was thrown into a fiery furnace, but he remained unharmed due to Divine power. Then Saint Basil was sent to Caesarea, where he was sentenced to be torn apart by wild beasts. With prayer, he awaited the martyr's crown and received it, being torn apart by a lioness.
Relatives and friends of the saint gathered his sacred remains, anointed them with perfumes, and committed them to a honorable burial. Later, a temple was built at the tomb of the holy martyr.
