Saint Basil, Bishop of Ryazan and Murom, is commemorated by the Church on June 10 and July 3—the latter marking his repose in 1295. His holy relics were uncovered on June 10, 1609, and solemnly transferred to the Dormition Cathedral in Ryazan. Saint Basil is mentioned in the Lavrentian Chronicles and is listed as the fourth bishop of Ryazan. Earlier in his life, he served as bishop of Murom, but due to false accusations stirred by evil, he was unjustly driven out. After fervent prayer, he placed his bishop’s mantiya on the River Oka, stood upon it holding the icon of the Mother of God of Murom, and was miraculously carried upstream to Ryazan, where he was welcomed with honor by the prince and people. A local tradition links him to the transfer of the wonderworking Murom Icon of the Mother of God (commemorated April 12).
Even during his lifetime, Saint Basil was venerated as a man of holiness and prayer. Long before his relics were discovered, the people of Ryazan regarded him as their intercessor and protector, especially in times of hardship and danger. Travelers often invoked his aid for safe journeys on land and water. His enduring spiritual legacy was recorded around 1540 by the monk Erazm Ermolaev in An Account of Basil, Bishop of Ryazan and Murom, preserving the memory of a bishop whose faith, humility, and miracles earned him the title of wonderworker.
Troparion — Tone 4
At first you were honored with the episcopal dignity at Murom, but were unjustly banished. / You climbed onto your mantya as if it were a light ship; / and as one without a body, you made your way supernaturally over the water, / guided by the Providence of the Most High, and by the intercession of the Mother of God, you reached the God-saved city of Ryazan. / There you accepted your hierarchal throne, and your God-given flock of Ryazan. / You have done well, O Hierarch and Father Basil. / Entreat Christ God that our souls may be saved.
Kontakion — Tone 8
O Hierarch Basil, you shone in the city of Murom like a bright star, / and upon the water you reached the city of Ryazan; / you helped the Church of God well by enlightening the people with your teaching and your life. / Even now, remember your children who pray to you, our good teacher, / and entreat Christ God and His Most Pure Mother for us, / that with grateful souls we may cry to you: / "Rejoice, O Christ-pleaser and fervent intercessor with God for us.