Basil of Ancyra

Saint Basil of Ancyra, hieromartyr, was a priest at Ancyra in Galatia in the fourth century, and received the crown of martyrdom in the persecution of Julian the Apostate. Little is preserved of his life, in a metaphrastic work, the Life and Deeds of the Martyred Priest Basil. He is said to have fought against the teachings of the pagans and the Arians and to have defended Bishop Marcellus against those who wished to drive him out. According to the Suda he was bishop of Ancyra and a physician. He died on 28 or 29 June 362 (363 according to other sources). He is commemorated on 22 March.

The confession

In the time of Constantius, Basil suffered much from the Arians and became known as a great zealot for the right faith at Ancyra. When the persecution of Julian the Apostate began, he rebuked the pagans openly and strengthened believers in the faith, and for this he was thrown into prison. When Julian came to Ancyra, Basil was brought before him. The emperor tried to persuade him to renounce Christ, promising him honour and wealth, but the priest answered that he believed in Christ, whom the emperor had denied.

According to the Prologue of Ohrid, he reminded Julian that as a boy of eight he had escaped death by hiding under an altar, and foretold that his power would soon be taken from him. Julian ordered that seven strips of skin be torn from him each day. When Basil came out before him again, he tore one strip from his own body and threw it in the emperor's face, saying that if this food pleased him, Christ was his life. It is said that the emperor withdrew from Ancyra to Antioch, out of shame.

Death and veneration

Basil was then tortured with rods heated in fire. In his prayer he thanked Christ who had drawn his soul from the pit of hell and kept his name unstained, and asked Him to receive him in peace. Torn by the burning rods, he gave up his soul into the hands of God.

The Orthodox and the Catholic Church honour him as a martyr on 22 March. His commemoration was moved from the end of June because of the feast of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul. He should not be confused with Basil, the bishop of Ancyra, a writer of the same period, nor with another Basil of Ancyra, who was not a priest and is commemorated on 1 January.