The Holy Hieromartyr Basil, Presbyter of the Church of Ancyra.
Saint Basil strove in martyrdom during the short reign of Julian the Apostate, from 361 to 363. The Saint was denounced as a Christian to Saturninus, Governor of Ancyra, who, when Basil would not deny Christ, had him hanged from a post and scraped on his sides, then beaten, and cast into prison. A few days later, when Julian himself came through Ancyra, the Saint was brought before him and was asked to deny Christ, Whom he rather confessed the more. Julian then had strips cut in his flesh, so that they were left hanging from his body in front and in back. The valiant Martyr tore one of these strips off of his body and cast it into Julian’s face. At this, Julian commanded that iron spits be heated fiery hot; Saint Basil’s belly, his back, and all his joints were pierced with them, and he received the crown of martyrdom.
The above account is taken from the Great Horologion,
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