Basil of Ancyra

Holy Martyr Basil of Ancyra, who suffered under Julian the Apostate.

January 2

St. Basil of Ancyra was a layman of that city who confessed Christ boldly during the reign of Julian the Apostate in the fourth century. Brought before the governor, he refused to sacrifice to the idols and was subjected to many tortures before being put to death.

He is commemorated on January 2.

March 22

St. Basil was a priest of the church of Ancyra in Asia Minor in the fourth century. A faithful shepherd who strengthened his flock against both paganism and heresy, he was seized during the reign of Julian the Apostate, when the emperor sought to restore the worship of idols. Refusing to deny Christ, he endured cruel tortures and completed his course as a martyr around the year 362.

His fearless answers before his persecutors are preserved in the tradition of the Church, which honors him as a model of priestly courage. He is commemorated on March 22.

Feast day

On the New Calendar, Basil of Ancyra is commemorated on January 2. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on January 15 of the civil calendar.

On the New Calendar, Basil of Ancyra is commemorated on March 22. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on April 4 of the civil calendar.

Who celebrates a name day

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

Vasilis, Vasileios, Basil

Also commemorated on January 2

• 

  Seraphim of Sarov

  Venerable, Σεραφείμ

  Beloved Russian monastic saint, wonderworker of Sarov.

  Name days: Serafim, Serafeim, Seraphim

• Sylvester of Rome

  Hierarch, Σίλβεστρος

  Pope of Rome in the time of St. Constantine the Great.

  Name days: Sylvester, Silvester, Silvestros, Sylvestros

• Theagenes of Parium

  Hierarch, Θεαγένης

  Hieromartyr Theagenes, Bishop of Parium on the Hellespont.

  Name days: Theagenes, Theagenis

• Theodote the Mother of the Unmercenaries

  Holy Woman, Θεοδότη

  Righteous Theodote, mother of the Holy Unmercenaries Cosmas and Damian.

  Name days: Theodote, Theodoti, Theodota

• Juliana of Lazarevo

  Holy Woman, Ιουλιανή η Δικαία

  Righteous Juliana of Lazarevo, a laywoman of Murom famed for her mercy to the poor.

• George the Iberian

  Martyr, Γεώργιος ο Ίβηρ

  New Martyr George of Georgia, martyred at Mytilene in the eighteenth century.

Icon: public domain image from Wikimedia Commons.