Venerable Basil the New

Life

He first lived in a forest, without roof or hearth. When they seized him and asked who he was, he answered: "One of the living on earth." They suspected him of being some spy and greatly tormented him. At last he lived many years in freedom in Constantinople. He saw into all the secrets of men, foretold the future, and performed great miracles. His attendant was the elder Theodora, who when she died appeared to Gregory, Basil's disciple, and described to him the twenty toll-houses through which every soul must pass. Holy Basil reposed peacefully on March 25, 944, and departed to the wondrous heavenly dwellings. He was seen after his death in great glory in the heavens by a citizen of Constantinople.