Basil was born in Popova, a village in Hercegovina of simple and God-fearing parents. From his youth, he was filled with love for the Church of God and when he reached maturity, he entered to the Monastery of the Dormition (Assumption) of the Birth-giver of God in Trebinje and there received the monastic tonsure. As a monk, he quickly became renown because of his genuine and rare ascetical life. Saint Basil took upon himself mortification upon mortification each one heavier and more difficult than the last. Later, against his will, he was elected and consecrated bishop of Zahumlje and Skenderia. As a hierarch, he first lived in the Monastery Tvrdosh and from there, as a good shepherd, strengthened his flock in the Orthodox Faith, protecting them from the cruelty of the Turks and the cunning ways of the Latins. When Basil was exceedingly pressed by his enemies and, when Tvrdosh was destroyed by the Turks, he moved to Ostrog, where he lived an austere ascetical life, protecting his flock by his ceaseless and fervent prayer.

From "The Prologue from Ochrid" by Bishop Nikolai Velimirovic

 

High above the Bjelopavlici plain, near Niksic, near the high, steep cliff, is situated the monastery Ostrog, at the foot of the hill with the same name. Founded by bishop of the area of Zahumlje and Herzegovina, who was proclaimed St Vasilije of Ostrog after his death. The place of the higher monastery is very impressive, with two small churches in the cave, built into the steep rock. One of them was built in 1665, and the frescoes in it are made in 1667, and in the other, which is also with frescoes, are the relics of St Vasilije. The lower monastery was built in 1820. There is a beautiful view from there over the river Zeta and the green surroundings. The tourists and the pilgrims from all over the world visit this monastery.