BASIL OF ANCYRA

Hagiography says that once Emperor Julian the Apostate witnessed Basil publicly praying for an end to the pagan cults that Julian was reviving with all his might. The liturgy, during which Basil openly asked God to change the course of history and stop the Apostate, infuriated the ruler’s entourage. A trial was organized.

Formally, the emperor proclaimed religious tolerance and was very proud of this policy. A formal reason for the accusation was needed. Since Julian was just about to march against Persia and needed to consolidate society, Basil could be portrayed as an agent of Persian influence, or even a spy. It is known that around the same time, Julian brutally executed the Persian ambassadors, Manuel, Sabel, and Ismail. Being Christians, they refused to participate in a pagan ceremony organized by Julian and did not engage in religious discussions with him. The motivation for the anger directed against them, and now against Basil, is very similar. 3, Basil was tortured; his back was cut with strips of skin and then pierced with red-hot rods. Hagiography has preserved the prayer of the martyr Basil, uttered at the moment of his death: “Christ, you are my light. Jesus, you are my hope. You are a refuge for those tossed by the waves. I thank you, Lord, God of my fathers, for snatching my soul from the depths of hell and keeping your name unblemished in me. May I end my life as a victor and inherit eternal peace, according to the promise made to my fathers by You, the Great High Priest, our Lord Jesus Christ. Now receive my soul in peace, that it may remain steadfast in this confession. For you are merciful, and your mercy is great, you who live and reign forever and ever.”