Holy Martyr Basil the Presbyter of the Church of Ankara

Of the Holy Martyr Basil the Presbyter of the Church of Ankara
Celebration date: 22/03

Saint Basil lived in the years of Julian the Transgressor (360-363). They denounced him to the prefect Saturninus, that he was mocking and accusing Julian’s actions against the Church. Then he was ordered by the prefect to publicly deny Jesus Christ. The faithful Priest smiled at this demand of the parish priest and declared that his whole life belonged to the Gospel and the Savior of souls. When the prefect threatened that he would severely torture him if he did not deny Christ, then he replied: “How, if you thought that I would deny Christ, since even the last of the lay people who believe in Him in my parish is willing to pour the his blood for our holy faith?” Saturninus, then, tortured him and imprisoned him. After a few days, Julian passed through Ankara. He was informed of the elder Basil and ordered him to be brought before him. Others found that the faith of the Christian Priest was even stronger. Then he gave an order and they put him to death in a martyr’s way. This is how Saint Basil was martyred, in the year 362 AD. and received the amaranth crown of God’s glory.