Gryaznov was born in the village of Evseevo Bogorodskogo County, know known as Pavlovo-Posadsky District. 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. He is said to have mourned his sins and asked for forgiveness many a time, before repeatedly falling under the pressure of the bad company he was associated with. In an act of desperation and frustration he recognised his mistakes by changing his name to Gryazny (Russian for “dirty”).
After repenting his sins Basil strived to live a sacred life.
His plight became known, and many people came to him for advice on the scriptures. In 1840 Jacob Labzin, a well known businessman and owner of head scarf factories in Pavlovsky Posad, came to Gryaznov for help.
Basil helped him to see how to live a sacred life, and the two became comrades, Labzin marrying Basil"s sister Akilina and incorporating Basil as a business partner. He dreamed to construct a monastery in Pavlovsky Posad, but this was not to be, marred by his death in 1869.
After Basil"s death people continued to address him through prayer, both to praise his righteous life and ask for direction in their own.
Gryaznov was recognised as a local saint in 1999, and is still praised throughout the Pavlovo-Posadsky District. His day of commemoration is February 16 (Orthodox calendar).
