Basil was a priest in Ancyra, in the middle of the 4th century, a time when Arians and semi-Arians were spreading their doctrines in the area. He had been trained by the saintly Bishop Marcellus, in the full doctrine of the Catholic faith, and was known for his holiness.After Marcellus was banished by the Arian Emperor Constantius, and a Semi-Arian, also called Basil, had invaded his see, St Basil never stopped encouraging people to stay strong in the Orthodox faith. In 360, the extreme Arians gained the upper hand in the see of Ancyra. They not only un seated the Semi-Arian Bishop, Basil, but also ordered the degradation of St Basil. They forbade him to hold any kind of religious gathering. Basil disregarded the orders, continued to support and encourage his own flock, persuaded many Arians to return to the church, and boldly defended the Catholic Faith, even before the Emperor Constantius himself. When Julian the Apostate took the throne, persecution stopped for a while, since the Emperor used more subtle means to Undermine the faith. There were cases where he became impatient with well known Christian leaders and permitted -if he didn't actually urge- their punishment, for having continued to teach the faith. Basil, who continued to do everything in his power to undermine Imperial policy in Ancyra, was arrested and accused of sedition, of overturning pagan altars, of turning people against the gods, and of speaking irreverently against the Emperor and his religion. He boldly confessed his faith, and was subsequently hung by his wrists and his ankles, and having his flesh torn with rakes, his persecutors threw him in prison, and eventually put him to death. He is not to be confused with his better known opponent, Bishop Basil of Ancyra. His feast is Mar 22.
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