His father, Ivan Semenovich Basil, was a farmer and his mother, Evdokia Zaharovna, home schooled the children in subjects such as Chasoslovu and the Psalms, instilling a deep faith and love for God.

During his youth Basil worked at a factory, where he fell under the influence of his workmates and began drinking wine and engaging in acts of vice and passion.

In 1840 Jacob Labzin, a well known businessman and owner of head scarf factories in Pavlovsky Posad, came to Gryaznov for help.

Even with his wealth Gryaznov continued to conduct a life of the sacred devotee, donating his money to the poor and, together with his sister and brother in law, built schools and almshouses.

His work among the poor was continued by Jacob Lazin and his sisters, and in 1894 the Pokrovsko-Vasilevskogo Monastery was built over his grave, now acting as his shrine of worship.