Text of the book “The Life of St. Basil the New”
The Life of St. Basil the New, who asceticised during the reign of Basil the Macedonian and his sons
Recommended for publication by the Publishing Council of the Russian Orthodox Church
IS 13-304-0303
Reprinted from: Here is Eternal Life: Lives and miraculous visions of Saints Basil the New and Grigentius, Archbishop of Ethiopia / trans. from Greek Gratsiansky Mikhail Vyacheslavovich. – M.: Siberian Blagozvonnitsa, 2012.
In eternal memory there will be a righteous man
[1]
1
Ps. 111, 6.
[Close] - says the king and prophet David, and the wise Solomon echoes: Memory of the righteous with praise
[2]
2
Proverbs 10, 7.
[Close]. I, insignificant and unworthy, powerless to praise the righteous Basil with my own strength, begin an exposition of the life of this blessed one equal to the angels. Wanting to begin this wonderful and praiseworthy story, I fear and tremble, realizing my inability. However, fearing to be condemned like the one who hid the talent given by his Lord, I dare to do this, so that the miracles of the monk will not remain hidden, and those who are due will benefit.
As I begin the story, I am afraid that by taking on such a task, I, the unworthy one, will receive condemnation instead of praise. After all, if, as Solomon says, some people mistake the intelligent and wise for bad[3] 3
Prem. 4, 14–18.
[Close], what will they say about me, a simpleton and a sinner? However, I understand well that every God-loving soul will forgive me for my lack of education and lack of learning. Therefore, I must not leave the commandment of the Holy Father unspoken and undeclared. May God forgive those who condemn me. So, from now on I will begin the story, hoping and trusting in your prayers. Since God also desires that everyone speak according to his ability, as best he can. After all, even an experienced rhetorician could not adequately talk about the virtues and exploits of this divine father - especially I, an ignorant and ignorant person.
I could not find anything about the birth of Saint Basil, about where and how he was raised and became a monk, since no one told me about it. He himself never spoke about himself, always trying to hide his good deeds out of his inherent humility, great and wonderful. However, he was such a man that he could not hide and hide himself, for God glorified His servant, as the prophet says on behalf of God: I will glorify those who glorify Me[4] 4
1 Sam. 2, 30.
[Close].
So, let's begin the story.
Interrogation from Samona
King Basil the Macedonian[5]5
Basil I the Macedonian, emperor of Byzantium in 867–886.
– Note.
lane [Close] had four sons: Constantine, Leo, Stefan and Alexander. Constantine died young, and Stephen became Patriarch of Constantinople[6] 6
Stephen I, Patriarch 886–893
– Note.
lane [Close]. He was a virtuous and holy man, but he was not a high priest for long, because due to frequent use of medications prescribed by doctors for a heart disease that had tormented him since childhood, he damaged his stomach, became very thin and died. His father Vasily became king after he killed the previous king Michael.[7] 7
Michael III, Emperor 842–867
– Note.
lane [Close] Before his death, this Mikhail told him reproachfully: “What did I do to you and how did I offend you, Vasily, that you killed me so mercilessly?” - and died. Vasily reigned. And after his death, his sons Leo and Alexander took over royal power[8] 8
Leo VI the Wise, emperor 886–911.
Alexander - his co-ruler, in 911–912. senior emperor – Note.
lane [Close].
In the tenth year of their reign[9]9
In 896 A.D. -
Note.
lane [Close] they sent two magistrians to the eastern provinces of the empire on some errand [10] 10
Officials on special assignments.
– Note.
lane [Close]. On the way, in some impassable mountains, they met our saint, whose appearance was very wild, since he lived in the mountains on pasture. Suspecting him to be a spy, they jumped off their horses, ran up to him and grabbed him to take him to Constantinople.
Returning to the capital, they went to the palace to the kings, and handed the saint over to the royal dignitary, the patrician[11]11
High Byzantine rank.
– Note.
lane [Close] Samone[12] 12
Samona is one of the most influential dignitaries at the court of Leo VI.
An Arab by nationality, castrated from childhood, he was captured by the Byzantine Empire and became a servant of one of the nobles. Having accidentally learned about a conspiracy against the emperor, Samona reported it to Leo, for which he was brought closer to the court and elevated to the rank of patrician. – Note.
lane [Close], a native Arab, to find out his identity, name and origin. Samona took him to his house, he sat down there with an important and self-satisfied look - for he was young, eminent and proud of his wealth - and ordered to immediately bring the saint. When he entered, he stood before him with a fearless look and did not kneel to bow to him - as was supposed to be done before nobles and kings. Samona became very angry because of this and said to him:
- Tell me who you are, where you are from and what your name is.
The saint did not give an answer
to him [13]
13
Cf.: John. 19, 9.
[Close], but stood calmly and looked at him with a meek gaze. Samona said to him again:
“Tell us who you are, because those who brought you claim that you are a spy.”
The saint answered him:
“It’s better for you to tell me who you are and where you’re from.”
Samona said:
– This is where we ask questions! It's none of your business who I am. But if you really want to know, I am Samona, patrician and paracimomen[14] 14
Caretaker of the royal bedchamber, sleeping bag.
– Note.
lane [Close] reigning Roman autocrats. So now tell me who you are, where you come from and what you do.
The saint told him:
– I am a wanderer, one of those who dwell on earth.
Samona said
- So, they say correctly that you are a spy and came to spy on the Roman state![15]15
The Byzantines called their state the Roman Empire, and Constantinople - New Rome.
– Note.
lane [Close]
The saint did not answer, although those present in every possible way forced him to say who he was, and remained silent. Samona ordered to flog him with fresh chestnut twigs and dry ox sinews. Then they brought other instruments of torture so that, seeing this, he would be frightened and confess who he was and where he came from. But when the patrician saw that this did not break him, he ordered to be spread out on the ground and flogged mercilessly, while the herald told him: “Tell who you are, and you will be freed from blows and many tortures.” However, the monk did not answer, but bravely endured until his vitality left him. When he was left lying like a lifeless corpse, they threw him into prison, hoping that he would eventually die there.
The next day the wild beast Samona again sat on the high throne and ordered, if the prisoner was still alive, to bring him to his senses and bring him to him. The soldiers who went after him found the saint in full health outside the dungeon, although its castle was intact. Amazed, they asked how he got out. The blessed one, without saying anything, went with them to appear before the commander. Some of the servants ran to inform Samona about what had happened. When he heard about the miracle, he was very amazed, but decided, together with his entourage, that the saint was a sorcerer. When he arrived, he told him:
– Now I’ll quickly find out what kind of magic this is!
And he ordered to throw him to the ground and flog him mercilessly until he said who he was and where he came from. So they scourged him until six rods were used up. The blessed one did not answer anything. Everyone was surprised at his complete silence and were amazed, and Samona said:
“He is proud, thinking that he has defeated us with his silence.” But, I swear by the health of the kings, I will not allow him to mock us!
And he ordered the stubborn man to be flogged all week, with three hundred rods, three hundred strokes each.
(Of course, we should keep in mind that Saint Basil labored all his life in a desert area, barefoot and naked. And now, experiencing great torment, he did not want to reveal his feat, according to the words: Let not your left hand know what your right hand is doing [16] 16
Mf. 6, 3.
[Close]. Because the one who reveals his valor and the good that he does receives a bribe from people, but loses the highest honor, angelic and archangelic. And the one who conceals his virtue, but prefers to remain silent even under scourges, will be honored by the Righteous Judge as a martyr, like blessed Basil).
And so, when this week had passed, during which the saint voluntarily endured so many evils, the damned Samona again sat on the throne and ordered him to be brought to him. And when they brought him, he looked at him in rage, for he was naturally hot-tempered, and said:
“Wretched man, how long will you keep cunning in your heart?” Finally, tell me who you are and where you come from! The blessed one said to him:
“Those who, like you, secretly commit the deeds of Sodom are rightly called scoundrels.”
And Samona was a handsome eunuch. Flushing with anger, he ordered the saint’s hands tied behind his back, a rope tied around his body and right leg, and hung upside down until he confessed who he was and where he came from. And since everyone, having lost patience, began silently scolding Samona, he, having sealed the door of the house with his ring, cruelly and inhumanly left the monk hanging like that.
When, three days later, he came there and opened the doors, he found him the same as he had left, and was amazed at the clarity of his face, as if he had suffered no harm. And, approaching, he said to him:
- Well, now tell me who you are and where you are from, and I will untie you.
But the saint did not answer. Then Samona ordered him to be lowered. And when they untied him, he turned out to be safe and sound, as if he had not experienced any torture. And everyone was amazed at this. Samona said again:
“Didn’t I tell you that he is a sorcerer?” Therefore, his leg was not hurt at all. But I will find out its magic!
And he ordered to call the caretaker of the menagerie. When he arrived, Samona said to him:
“Tomorrow prepare the most ferocious lion, don’t give him anything to eat today, and then let’s see if he will defeat him with his silence!”
And the next day a lot of people gathered for the spectacle. They brought a beast, which was growling from hunger, and threw the saint to it to be devoured. But the lion, seeing him, trembled and, humbly approaching the saint, meekly lay down at his feet. People, seeing this incredible miracle, cried out at the top of their voices, “Lord, have mercy!” and began to shout loudly: “Release him as someone who has been unfairly slandered!” However, the wicked Samona could not understand that the monk was the chosen servant of God, and remained blind in heart, although he saw the saint tugging at the lion’s ear, saying: “Look, a lamb!” The accursed one ordered the saint to be thrown into the sea at night, which his servants did in the dead of night.
Rescue from drowning and relocation to John's house
But it is not for nothing that it is said: If you cross the waters, I am with you; whether through rivers, they will not drown you[17] 17
Is. 43, 2.
[Close], for he keeps
The Lord
is the soul of His saints
[18]
18
Ps. 96, 10.
[Close]. Therefore, two dolphins immediately swam up, picked up Saint Basil on their backs and carried him to the shore in an area called Eudom (near Constantinople). And then, by the will of God, the fetters from his hands and feet were untied, and at dawn he got out of the sea and went to the capital. But since the Golden Gate was still closed, he sat down nearby, waiting for it to open.
While the saint was sitting there, a sick man came up and sat down next to him to rest for a while, trembling from his fever. The saint, seeing that the patient was ill, moved closer to him and put his hand on him, calling on God to heal him. He, seeing that he was so easily cured, was amazed at the incredible miracle and threw himself at the feet of the monk, begging him to visit his house and not neglect his invitation, although he was not worthy to receive the messenger of God in his house. The monk listened to him and went along with the man he had cured. When they reached home, it was lunch time; the man told his wife to set the table; the saint blessed, and they sat down to eat, thanking God. During the meal, the husband told his wife how the monk cured him in the name of Christ and by the laying on of his hands. She, having heard about this miracle, surrounded the monk with great respect; her name was Elena, and she was a pious, God-loving woman who had great respect for monks. She was especially happy that the saint agreed to visit her home. Together with their husband, they began to ask him to tell where he was from and where he was going. The saint said that there is no need to say where he is from, but he is going on pilgrimage to the monastery of the Image Not Made by Hands, which no one wrote, but was captured by the Mother of God Herself, and it is still preserved and creates divine signs for those who flock to it with faith and reverence. But they begged him to say who he was, and so he said:
“I am the one whom Samona threw into the sea yesterday, and my Lord, Whom I have worshiped since my youth, in His own way kept me unharmed.”
And he told them about all the torments that the cruel and unjust Samona had subjected him to, which the whole city heard about. They asked if he would agree to stay with them for the rest of his life, and the saint agreed. They prepared a lamp for him and a separate cell, in which he continually prayed to God.
Who can describe the tears he shed all night in prayer, the bows he made and the all-night vigil? For sleep could sooner cover the ever-sleeping stars than close the eyelids of a saint. So great were his meekness and lack of anger that he could be likened to the second Moses or David. He was as unfeigned and good-natured as Jacob, and as gentle as Job, as merciful as Abraham, and was in deep poverty.
And so, having settled in the house of John - that was the name of that man - Saint Basil was like a second Moses to Jethro in the land of Midian[19]19
See: Ref. 2–3.
[Close]. And after a few days, God-loving people, great and small, began to flock to him, and he edified them spiritually with his instructions. Some brought the sick in faith, and he healed them with just prayer and the laying on of hands. Others recovered after a few visits, after which he released them. And since he had the rich gifts of the Holy Spirit, he knew about everyone what his deeds were and who he was, he called by name even those whom he had never seen, he denounced many for the bad deeds they had committed and revealed their evil thoughts to everyone, so that everyone who came to him was ashamed and repented.
He admonished libertines and fornicators, misers and misers, with accusatory speeches he persuaded them to deeds of mercy; he drove away sorcerers and healers, as inveterate sinners who had given themselves over to Satan, from their cells with a staff, forcing them to renounce blasphemous activities. He completely renounced the unbelievers, and shamed the arrogant, calling them brood of vipers. But he honored the virtuous and merciful, the God-fearing and meek in heart, greeted them with a joyful face and seated them next to him - because, as we said, he knew about everyone who came to him from the Holy Spirit who dwelt in him.
About Constantin Duca
And so, having performed many miracles for the inhabitants of Constantinople in a short time, the monk became known to everyone. Therefore, many nobles asked him to pray for them and settle in the houses that belonged to them, but he did not want to change the place of his original refuge.
Soon King Leo died, and the royal scepter passed into the hands of his brother Alexander. And a little over a year later he died, leaving his brother Leo’s son, Konstantin, as his heir[20] 20
Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus, emperor 912–957.
– Note.
lane [Close], with his mother Zoya; but since Constantine was still small, he appointed Patriarch Nicholas, Master[21] 21,
The highest Byzantine rank.
– Note.
lane [Close] John Garida and others, entrusting them with the administration of the kingdom and the protection of royal power so that no one would seize it. And so, after they were entrusted with affairs, all sorts of disorder began in the state, and the neighboring barbarian peoples began to cruelly devastate the regions of the empire, reaching the outskirts of the capital, because there was no one to drive them away.
Under such circumstances, the citizens rebelled against Nicholas, saying that he was not capable of governing as he should; and he decided to write to Constantin Duca, who was at that time the commander in the eastern regions of the empire, so that he would come and take over the kingdom. It was decided that the young king Constantine Porphyrogenitus[22] 22
Constantine received this nickname because he was born in the Crimson Chamber of the royal palace.
– Note.
lane [Close] will remain in the palace, and Constantine Ducas, as the bravest of the military leaders, will become his co-ruler and oppose the barbarians. After all, he so stunned the enemies that when they were asked how one man defeats and drives them away, they involuntarily admitted: “When he appears in battle, the fire from his armor strikes us and the heat from the breath of his horse plunges us to the ground.” Constantine himself, when asked where he got such a gift, answered without hiding: “In my youth, a majestic Woman in scarlet robes appeared to me in a dream, who had a fiery horse with fiery armor. I involuntarily put on them and rode on a horse, and the Wife said: “All who blaspheme God and My Son will melt like wax before your face.” And having said this, she disappeared.” Such was this Constantin Duca.
And so the rulers of the state wrote to Constantine, offering the kingdom. But he answered them that he was not worthy of such high service. They wrote to him again that the entire Roman Empire wanted him to become king.
But he answered: “It is inappropriate and unfair for you to offer me the kingdom instead of God’s anointed, even if he is a minor. No one should break their oath before the face of God. I’m afraid that you might be planning some treachery to destroy me.” Having read this message of his, they swore with terrible oaths on the Life-Giving and Honest Tree of the Cross that they were not plotting anything of which he suspected them, and in confirmation of their fidelity they sent him their encolpies[23] 23
Encolpias are Christian amulets and amulet worn on the chest, which, according to legend, protected against evil spirits.
– Note.
lane [Close]. Having trusted them, he went to Constantinople, taking his friends with him. Arriving in the capital at dawn, he, honored and glorified by his supporters, went to the palace. But at this time a bad omen appeared, foreshadowing future bloodshed and murder: in the bright sun, bloody drops poured onto the ground, as if from purple shells.
When Patriarch Nicholas and everyone who was with him saw that Ducas had arrived, they changed their minds and tightly locked the gates of the royal palace. Duca settled down at the hippodrome, and all the nobles and leaders began to proclaim him king. Those who were friends with Saint Basil, having heard from him three days before that bloodshed would occur, locked themselves in their homes and remained calm. And the saint, from the moment he foresaw what would happen, did not stop weeping and groaning.
Two brothers, sons of an important dignitary, who had the rank of protospatharii[24]24
Middle Byzantine rank.
– Note.
lane [Close], they came to the saint and began to ask him whether they should join the people of Duka. The saint said to them: “No, my children, beware lest great harm be done to you: because one of you will be killed, and the other will have his nose and ears cut off, and he will barely escape death.” They disobeyed the saint and endured everything that he predicted. Because Duca, having made a fatal decision, prepared a bad fate for both himself and his supporters. For he should have waited patiently, blocking the supply of food, until those holed up in the palace, pressed by hunger, themselves opened the gates. He did not do this, but, after consulting with his comrades, he decided to break into the palace through the Copper Gate[25] 25
The main entrance to the palace, located opposite the Church of St. Sophia.
– Note.
lane [Close]. Having broken the bolts and bolts, he took terrible oaths from his supporters that they would not use swords, spears, or other weapons, and would enter without a fight. And if those inside want to kill them, let them be condemned at the Last Judgment of Christ as having violated their oaths and unjustly started a war.
Having said this, he headed towards the Brass Gate. Those who were with the king immediately gathered all the archers and began to fire at them from the walls. Duca's people began to say: “Allow us to answer them.” But he didn't allow it. Then one of the archers, realizing where Ducas was, furiously pulled his bow and wounded him in the right side. He shouted: “Woe to me, unfortunate one, I came here for misfortune!” - and immediately fell to the ground. The rest, frightened, turned back. And those inside were greatly encouraged and, grabbing swords, rushed at them, opening the gate. The protostrator was killed first[26] 26
Adjutant.
– Note.
lane _
[Close] Dookie with many others, and then himself. They killed everyone mercilessly, cutting them down like ears of corn. Many could have escaped, but all the gates of the city were quickly locked. In the end, everyone who fled was captured, and none of them escaped.
And so all the nobles and patricians who were with Duca at the hippodrome were executed on the scaffold, while others were hanged outside the city walls. Some were blinded, others were flogged, others were sent into exile. The great city experienced such suffering at that time that did not happen even during the great invasions of barbarians and wicked people. The heads of Duca and his son were cut off and taken to Nicholas and those with him, who, recognizing them, gave large rewards to the murderers. But even then these unfortunate people were not fed up, but ordered the mayor to throw all the bodies of those killed into the sea. They did not take pity on their co-religionists, nor on their fellow citizens and relatives, to allow them to bury their bodies. But, like wild animals, they loaded them onto carts, dismembered, naked and cut into pieces, dragged them along the main street among the people and, finally, threw them into the sea like dogs.
Some say that there were more than three thousand killed, and no one drew sword or spear because of the oath sworn to Duque. And about those who were hanged, many trustworthy people testified that more than once they saw stars descending from heaven to each of them and shining until the morning; This is God's way of pointing out that the murder of the innocent was unjust. For when Ducas was killed, the others who had not raised their hands or committed violence should have been released. However, the rulers shed innocent blood without mercy. Punishment will befall those who did this, and woe to them on the Last Day of Judgment; for the Lord will exact from them the blood of their brothers shed at their hands.
Duka's head, having been desecrated, was ordered to be put on a spear and carried throughout the city in order to bring reason to everyone who had pinned their hopes on him. She was then thrown into the sea along with her body. And although his body was subjected to such desecration, his soul was accepted into Abraham’s bosom. Because, as we said, he came to the kingdom not as a tyrant, but on the basis of terrible oaths given to him. After all, he could start a war or set fire to the palace and win. But he did not do this, placing his trust in God, and for this he won the Kingdom of Heaven.
And other rulers did not have the same sin as the shepherd of the verbal sheep, Patriarch Nicholas - or, as someone called him, Ittilai [27]27
A play on words.
Nicholas – in Greek literally “conqueror of the people”; Ittilai - “defeated by the people.” – Note.
lane [Close]. How could he not be ashamed to open the Holy Gospel with his own stained hands? Hasn’t he heard the words of the Gospel: the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep2?
But he did the opposite and killed them himself.
It would be better to call him not a shepherd, but a hireling, acting as the Gospel says: But a hireling, not a shepherd, whose sheep are not his own, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees
[28]
28
John. 10, 11.
[Close].
I told you all this, brothers, so that you would clearly recognize the prophetic gift of our venerable father Basil, so that he predicted future events to his disciples as if they had already happened[29]29
In. 10, 12.
[Close].
Conspiracy of Dmitry Shemyak
In 1444, the Horde invaded Russian lands. She was aware of the internal war. Vasily the Dark gathered an army and sent it to fight the invaders. In the battle of Suzdal, the forces of the Moscow prince, who outnumbered their opponent several times, were defeated, and Vasily 2 himself was captured. The whole country collected a ransom for him and ultimately returned the prince home.
Dmitry Shemyaka took advantage of this situation and stated that:
- The Moscow prince cannot protect Rus' from raids, because... he is a bad warrior. In fact, it’s hard to argue with this, since Vasily the Dark lost all his battles, and lost even those battles in which he had all the cards.
- The Moscow prince is a weak man. This is also beyond doubt, since the strife and each new round of it is his fault.
- The prince's weaknesses cost the whole country a huge amount of money in the form of a ransom for him. Also the pure truth.
The conspiracy of Dmitry Shemyak was carried out on February 12, 1446. In the Trinity-Sergius Monastery, where the service took place, Vasily 2 the Dark was arrested and sent to prison. There he was blinded. That is why he received the popular nickname - Dark.
After this, Dmitry Shemyaka sends his brother with his wife and son Ivan to Uglich. A new opposition is being formed in Uglich, which Shemyaka decided to destroy in the following way. He sends Vasily the Dark to Vologda and takes a sacred oath from him that he will not lay claim to the Moscow throne and will not challenge him. The oath was taken.
However, Shemyaka could not rule calmly in Moscow on the grand-ducal throne, since the capital’s nobility did not want to see him as their ruler. Many nobles fled to neighboring Lithuania, intending to wait until Vasily regained the throne.
But after this, Vologda became a place where people dissatisfied with Shemyak began to flock, and the local abbot of the Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery freed Vasily 2 from the oath given to him. An army gathers in Vologda and heads to Moscow. Shemyaka flees from the battle to Uglich. So Vasily the Dark regained his throne, but the strife continued for another 1453 years.
The newly created Grand Duke decided to put an end to the problem of succession to the throne once and for all. He enlisted the support of Metropolitan Jonah, who at the council of bishops condemned the “sedition of the Yuryevichs” and ordered to pursue Shemyaka wherever possible. Ultimately, Dmitry was overtaken in Novgorod and poisoned in 1453. After the death of Shemyaka, Vasily the Dark dealt with his allies, taking away their allotments and annexing them to Moscow. Novgorod, which supported Shemyaka, was forced to pay 8,500 rubles as a ransom.
