Venerable Basilisk the Hesychast of Siberia

Commemorated on December 29.

For a long time they remained in the village to rest. Elder Basilisk was paralyzed for more than two months, and he could neither drink nor eat, but gradually he regained his strength. The younger Father Zosima recovered faster and helped him in all things. They went to another village where they were given warm clothing. Then the two Elders were driven to the District Office, where they knew a clerk. They were not detained very long, and were driven to the city of Kuznetsk. There people also took care of them, but they were so weak that they could not eat normal food. For nearly two months they ate only light foods in small amounts. They remained at Kuznetsk for three months, until they regained their strength.

Elders Zosima and Basilisk lived in the wilderness for twenty-four years, but in 1799 the Elders, who were of one heart, soul, and mind, parted and lived in separate cells for the sake of greater silence. They found a suitable spot fifty versts from Kuznetsk. They refrained from visiting each other, preserving their solitude until Saturday, especially on Wednesday and Friday. On Sundays and Feast Days they would spend time together reading and having spiritual conversations, and strolling through their remote surroundings. In the spring, when there are not yet many herbs, they walked through various places in the forests, mountains and valleys, and did not return for two weeks, taking with them fire, a pot, and some crackers. Devout lovers of Christ occasionally visited the two Elders, and brought supplies to them.

They resolved not to accept any money from anyone, but only the simplest meager donations, such as food and clothing. The ascetics tried to repay them with their needlework. Father Basilisk made pottery, and Father Zosima made wooden dishes. Such was their outward life, but it is impossible to describe what took place in the depths of their souls, for no words can describe accurately the inner life of true desert dwellers. It has been said: "Those who dwell in the desert partake of a constant divine aspiration which is free of worldly care and confusion" (Anabathmoi Tone 1).

However, "having lit a candle, they did not place it under a bushel, but on a lampstand" (Matthew 5:15). It was pleasing to the Lord that since they had acquired the highest virtues, they should now labor for the salvation of others.

Anisya Kotokhova, from the city of Kuznetsk, wanted to live a monastic life. There were no monasteries nearby, and it was too far to go to Russia, and she decided to ask the Elders for spiritual guidance. They consented, and she subjected her own will to them. Anysia settled in a village on the banks of the Tom River, and other girls began gathering around her. Elder Basilisk often visited them, nurturing and instructing them in the monastic life, sometimes he sent Father Zosima to them. Soon it became apparent that it was difficult for the women to live a monastic life among the laity. Something had to be done about moving the nuns to some vacant monastery. The Bishop of Tobolsk agreed to give them such a monastery suitable for their needs in the city of Turinsk, and Father Zosima petitioned the Holy Synod to have this former men's monastery redesignated as one for women.

Thus, the Saint Nicholas-Turinsk Monastery was revived, and Saint Basilisk spent his last years nearby in seclusion. Because of his advanced age he often lived for a long time in the Monastery itself. It was there, during a time of turmoil and Elder Zosima's unjust persecution, that he appeared in a dream to two members of the Commission of Inquiry, exhorting them to acquit and protect his spiritual friend and sotainik 2 because of his complete innocence.

Elder Basilisk's blessed repose occurred on December 29, 1824, and he predicted the time of his departure beforehand. On the day before, he confessed and received the Holy Mysteries of Christ. A peasant who served him until his death put his hand to the departing desert dweller's chest and felt that the dying man's heart was still beating. Until his very last breath he prayed aloud and with words: "Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of God," his soul departed as if he had fallen asleep. Even after the soul had left his body, his heart is still beat for a long time. Four days after Saint Basilisk's repose, Elder Zosima arrived in Turinsk with some nuns to find that Elder Basilisk had not been buried. His appearance was like that of a Saint, so that no one could look at him without a feeling of reverence.

Father Zosima invited an artist to paint his portrait. Elder Basilisk would not allow this during his lifetime because of his profound humility. Three more days passed until the artist completed his work. Before his burial on the seventh day, when they took the Elder's body out of the coffin to wrap it in the monastic mantiya, it was found to be quite flexible. Elder Zosima and some of the nuns carried the coffin. The holy ascetic Basilisk was buried at Turinsk Monastery behind the altar on the northern side.

Father Zosima returned to Tyumen with the sisters, but Anisya Kotokhova, one of the older nuns, was devoted to Elder Basilisk. She remained in the Monastery to comfort those who were saddened because they had been left behind.

In 1913, a stone chapel dedicated to the Holy Martyr Basiliskos of Comana (May 22) was built over the Elder's grave, and it was consecrated in 1914. It was visited by many worshippers, who often served panikhidas, praying for the repose of the beloved ascetic revered by all. In Soviet times, both the temple and the chapel were destroyed, and garages were built on that site. The holy relics of the Venerable one were discovered in 2000. There were several cases of healing and spiritual help after people prayed to him.

The Sisters of New Tikhvin Monastery prepared documents and sent them to the Canonization Commission, and Saint Basilisk of Siberia was glorified in 2004.

Elder Basilisk's entire life shows us an example of complete self-denial and fulfilling the commandment to love God and one's neighbor. He possessed no worldly wisdom, but he received wisdom from the Lord above. Because of his humility, he attained the heights of virtue, and by his example he bore witness to the truthfulness of the Gospel's words: "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God."

Some relics of Saint Basilisk are located in the Yekaterinburg village of Elizabeth, in the temple dedicated to the All-Merciful Savior.

1 Basil Ivanovich Blinskiy († March 28, 1812) 2 A sharer in the monastic mystery.