Martyr, Right-Believing Right-Believing Prince and Martyr Vasily (Vasilko) Konstantinovich of Rostov

Holy Right-Believing Prince and Martyr Vasily (Vasilko) Konstantinovich of Rostov was born December 7, 1208, in Rostov, the eldest grandson of Grand Prince Vsevolod "Big Nest." From the age of eight (1216) he ruled Rostov in his own right. Chronicles describe him as handsome, courageous, learned, and merciful, beloved by boyars and commoners alike; he campaigned alongside his uncle, Grand Prince Yuri of Vladimir.

During Batu Khan's invasion in the winter of 1237–1238, Vasilko fought at the Battle of the Sit River on March 4, 1238; the Russian force was crushed and the wounded prince was taken captive. The Mongols pressed him to adopt their customs, promising to spare his life and enlist him in their army, but he firmly refused, declaring he would never turn from the Christian faith. For this refusal he was killed in the Shern Forest. His body was recovered and buried in the Dormition Cathedral of Rostov.

The Church venerates Vasilko as a martyr and passion-bearer who suffered for fidelity to Christ, not merely as a right-believing ruler. His feast is kept on March 4 (17, N.S.), the day of his martyrdom, and on May 23 (June 5, N.S.) in the Synaxis of Rostov-Yaroslavl Saints (established in 1964 on the initiative of Archbishop Nikodim (Rotov)).