Vasily was born to serfs in December 1468 at the portico of the Epiphany Cathedral at Yelokhovo (now in Moscow).

He adopted an eccentric lifestyle of shoplifting and giving to the poor to shame the miserly and help those in need.

He rebuked Ivan the Terrible for not paying attention in church.

[1] When he died on August 2, 1552, or 1557, St. Macarius, Metropolitan of Moscow, served his funeral with many clergy.

Basil's Cathedral in Moscow, which was commissioned by Ivan for commemoration of his conquest of Kazan' and was named for the saint later.