Ducat with image of Basil of Ostrog

Celebrated on 12 May – Basil of Ostrog

Originating from Herzegovinian, Basil of Ostrog was born on 28 December 1610 in the village Mrkonjic in Popovo field. As the son of poor, but pious people, from childhood he had been raised in spirit of the Orthodox charity and benevolence. As a boy he kept livestock, he shared the last bite of food with people less fortunate than him. In fear of the Turks, his parents sheltered him in a nearby monastery Zavala, where was his uncle, Jeromonah Serafim. In that monastery he became literate and gained a wider knowledge of Christianity.

In order to improve his knowledge, Iguman Serafim sends him to monastery Trdos. There, Stojan which was his baptized name receives monastic vows and receives the monastic name Vasilije.
In 1651 he becomes Metropolitan of East Herzegovinian Eparchy. At the time, Turkish oppressors have started violently robbing and attacking Serbian monasteries and enslaving people. Vasilije visited his Eparhys and reconciled feuding tribes and pointed out necessity of living together no matter what your religion is Orthodox, Catholic or Muslim.

Pressed by intrigues because of his beliefs and his attitude and Turkish mistreatment, he retreats to Kelija Abbot Isaja on Ostrog, where he established a church on Upper Ostrog devoted to the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. He died on April 29 1671 (old calendar) on Ostrog. The cult of St. Basil gradually spread after his death, as it was told of miraculous power of his relics. Even today many people of different faiths come to worship his relics.