Saint Basil lived during the reign of Leo the Isaurian, the iconoclast. Leaving the world, he entered a monastery and led a virtuous monastic life. During the persecutions against the veneration of holy icons, he courageously opposed the iconoclasts, for which he suffered many torments. Saint Basil rejected the heretical teaching and stood for the truth alongside Saint Procopius until blood was shed. He was severely beaten all over his body and then imprisoned, where he languished until the death of the wicked king. After the death of the persecutor, he was released and continued to live in ascetic labors, converting many to the Orthodox faith. After several years of a God-pleasing life, he was granted a blessed end and departed to the Lord, whom he had loved since early childhood.
