Martyr Basil of Ancyra

Commemorated on January 1

Saint Basil lived in the time of Julian the Apostate (331-363), and confessed his faith in Christ before the governor Saturninus. He was tortured in Ancyra, then sent to Constantinople, where he was suspended from a tree, stretched on a rack, beaten, then stabbed with red-hot needles. He was also thrown into a fiery furnace, but was not harmed. He was sent to Caesarea and was torn to pieces by lions in the arena.

This saint, a layman, should not be confused with the other St Basil of Ancyra, who was a priest (March 22).

Troparion - Tone 4

Your holy martyr Basil, O Lord,
Through his sufferings has received an incorruptible crown from You, our God.
For having Your strength, he laid low his adversaries,
And shattered the powerless boldness of demons.
Through his intercessions, save our souls!

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SAINT OR FEAST POSTED THIS DATE 2009(with 2008's link here also):