Saint Basil of Ostrog

Life

By birth from Popovo Selo in Herzegovina, of parents simple but pious. From childhood he was filled with love for the Church of God, and when he grew older he went to the Trebinje Monastery of the Dormition of the Theotokos and received the monastic tonsure. As a monk he quickly became renowned for his serious and rare ascetical life. For he laid upon himself struggle after struggle, each heavier than the last. Later he was elected and consecrated as Bishop of Zahumlje and Skenderija, against his own will. As a hierarch he first dwelt in the Monastery of Tvrdos, and from there as a good shepherd he strengthened his flock in the Orthodox faith, guarding it from the cruelty of the Turks and the cunning of the Latins. And when he was too sorely pressed by enemies, and when Tvrdos was destroyed by the Turks, Basil moved to Ostrog, where he struggled firmly, protecting his flock with his unceasing and fervent prayers. He reposed peacefully in the Lord in the sixteenth century, leaving behind his whole and healing relics, incorrupt and wonderworking to this day. The miracles at the grave of Saint Basil are countless. To his relics both Christians and Muslims come, and find healing in their most grievous illnesses and afflictions. A great national assembly at Ostrog takes place every year at Pentecost.

From the Hymn of Praise

### SAINT BASIL OF OSTROGO Saint Basil, pleaser of God,And from every affliction wondrous healer,By the power of thy Christ, Whom thou didst greatly love,The most grievous of the sick thou wast able to cure,