Basil of Amaseia

Bishop Basil of Amaseia.

St. Basil was Bishop of Amaseia in Pontus in the early fourth century, in the last days of the persecutions. A fearless shepherd who protected those who fled to the Church for refuge, he drew upon himself the anger of the emperor Licinius, and was put to death for his faithfulness, his body cast into the sea.

Tradition relates that his relics were recovered by the faithful and buried with honor in his own city. The Church commemorates him on April 26.

Feast day

On the New Calendar, Basil of Amaseia is commemorated on April 26. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on May 9 of the civil calendar.

Who celebrates a name day

People with these names keep their name day on this feast:

Vasilis, Basil

Also commemorated on April 26

• Glaphyra the Virgin

  Holy Woman, Γλαφυρά

  Holy Virgin Glaphyra, servant of the empress, who fled to Amaseia and was sheltered by Saint Basil.

  Name days: Glafyra, Glaphyra, Glafira

• Stephen of Perm

  Hierarch, Στέφανος Επίσκοπος Περμ

  Saint Stephen, Bishop of Perm, enlightener of the Zyrian people.

• Leo of Samos

  Hierarch, Λέων Επίσκοπος Σάμου

  Saint Leo, Bishop of Samos.

• Tamara the Queen

  Holy Woman, Ταμάρα η Βασίλισσα

  Holy Queen Tamara of Georgia, under whom the Georgian kingdom reached its golden age.

  Name days: Tamara, Tamar

• George of Gergeri and the Twelve New Martyrs

  Saint, Γεώργιος ο Πρεσβύτερος και οι Δώδεκα Νεομάρτυρες Γέργερης

  Holy New Martyrs George the Presbyter and the twelve with him at Gergeri in Crete.

Icon: public domain image from Wikimedia Commons.