Synaxarium

On this day, Saint Basilios the Bishop was martyred. This saint was ordained bishop along with others without a throne in the year 298 AD by Saint Hermon, Patriarch of Jerusalem, who sent them to preach the gospel of the kingdom in lands without believers. This saint preached in many countries, was beaten and expelled. When he entered Sharsouna in Syria and proclaimed the gospel, some of its people believed in him, but others became angry and expelled him. He went outside the city and lived in a cave, constantly praying and supplicating God for their faith. It happened that the son of the city's governor died, and he was his only son. The governor grieved greatly. On the night of the burial, the governor saw his son in a dream standing before him saying: "Call Saint Basilios and ask him to pray to Christ for me, for I am in great darkness." He awoke and took the city elders and came to the saint's cave. He allowed him to enter the city to pray for his son. The saint answered their request and went with them to the son's grave. He prayed fervently to God, and the boy rose alive by the power of God. The prince, his family, and many of the city's people believed and were baptized by this saint. There was a group of Jews in the city who envied the saint. They gathered with those who did not believe from the townspeople and all attacked him, beating and dragging him until he peacefully gave up his spirit. May his prayers be with us. To our Lord be glory forever. Amen.