Basil of Byzantium

Holy Martyr Basil of Byzantium was a monk who suffered in the time of the persecution of the holy icons, under Emperor Constantine Copronymus.

At that time many Orthodox soldiers gave up their military rank and put on the monastic habit. Many of them the lawless emperor condemned to death after torments. One of them, named Basil, he first blinded. But the saint went on venerating the holy icons even after he was blinded, and then the tyrant thrust a sword into his belly, so that his entrails were laid bare. In this way he received the crown of martyrdom for the icons.

In the same days Saint Stephen also bore witness for the holy icons at Constantinople. Two other saints named Gregory were sent into exile with some others and died there, and Saint John was driven out to Daphne, where he was beaten often by the emperor's order and died.

Saint Basil is commemorated on 11 December, in the new style.