April 12 saints
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Commemorated on April 12
St Basil the Confessor, Bishop of Parium, lived during the eighth
century. He was elected as bishop by the inhabitants of Parium, who
venerated the saint as a true pastor of the flock of Christ.
When the Iconoclast heresy broke out, St Basil resolutely came out on
the side of icon veneration and refused to sign the orders for their
abolition (the "Iniquitous Scroll" of the Council of 754 which was
convened under the emperor Constantine V Copronymos (741-775). The
saint avoided any contact with the heretics and did not permit them
into his diocese. For his zeal he suffered much persecution, hunger
and deprivation.
St Basil remained faithful to the Orthodox Church until his death.
Icon of the Mother of God of Murom
Commemorated on April 12
The Murom Icon of the Mother of God was transferred to Murom from Kiev
by the enlightener of this remote region, the holy Prince Constantine
(May 21), in the twelfth century.
St Constantine urged the pagans to accept Christianity, but they were
stubborn and decided to murder the prince. Learning of this, the saint
came out to the pagans with the Icon of the Mother of God he had
brought from Kiev. The grace issuing forth from Her countenance
touched the hearts of the pagans. They asked for the prince's
forgiveness and agreed to be baptized.
St Basil of Ryazan (July 3) sailed from Murom to Ryazan on his
mantiya, while carrying this icon. The Murom icon was originally
commemorated during the Apostles' Fast, but the celebration was moved
to April 12 (the Feast of St Basil).
In the Murom icon, Christ leans against His Mother's shoulder, and He
holds a scroll which says, "I am the light of the world."