All mail and correspondence should be sent to: 6 Lansing Ave Watervliet NY 12189-1845
Phone: (518) 273-6262 E-Mail: kaolsen2410@gmail.com Please do not send text messages. Thank you.
OUR MISSION/VISION STATEMENT
ST. BASIL'S CHURCH WILL STRIVE TO GLORIFY GOD THROUGH
ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN WORSHIP,
SINCERE LOVE AND CARE FOR ONE ANOTHER,
AND SERVICE TO THOSE IN NEED AROUND US
St. Basil's, a parish of the Orthodox Church in America, is a Christian community of people from various ethnic and social backgrounds sharing a common commitment to the Lord, each other, and the Apostolic Faith. We warmly welcome all families, couples, and individuals who are looking for a deeper experience of the salvation offered in Jesus Christ. Come and see!
Welcome! It is always an honor and a privilege when we have visitors worship with us at St. Basil’s.Please consider filling out a “Visitor’s Card” at the Candle Desk and joining us for Coffee Hour after the liturgy. Please keep in mind that we have certain traditions and practices that perhaps you may not be accustomed to. For example, modest and proper attire should be worn. We do not practice so-called "Eucharistic hospitality" or "inter-Communion." Only Baptized Orthodox Christians who have been to Holy Confession recently may receive Holy Communion. If you are an Orthodox visitor and plan to receive Holy Communion, please call Fr. Peter ahead of time (518-273-6262). ALL SERVICES ARE IN ENGLISH!
Sacraments are scheduled only by Baptized Orthodox Christians who go to church, go to Confession, and receive Holy Communion on a regular basis. Please note that in order to schedule a sacrament, you must be a member in good standing of St. Basil's. If you are a member of another Orthodox Church, you must bring a letter from the Parish Priest stating that you are a member in good standing of that parish and that he gives you his blessing to request a sacrament in our church. All Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals must be scheduled ahead of time with Fr. Peter. Please keep in mind that not all days and times are permitted. All canonical, traditional and liturgical practices of the Orthodox Church must be followed and adhered to. All Baptisms must be discussed with the parents of the child ahead of time, and all couples seeking to be wed in our church must themselves discuss this request with the priest. Thank you!
Confession is a soul-proftitable Mystery (Sacrament) of the Church.It is a gift to us from God in our struggle to be cleansed from our sins and to have inner peace in our hearts and souls.It is the practice of the Orthodox Church to go to Confession before receiving Holy Communion.If we are frequent communicants (receive Holy Communion on a weekly basis), it is the guidance of the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church in America to go to Confession once a month.Confessions are generally heard at St. Basil’s on Saturday evening after Great Vespers.Confessions are generally not heard on Sunday morning before Divine Liturgy because there is little time, as the priest must do the proskomedia before the liturgy.Exceptions for worthy reasons can be made.Confessions are also heard on other days and times by appointment.Occasionally (RARELY) Confessions may not be scheduled on a particular Saturday. Please check our weekly bulletin for our schedule.Please see Fr. Peter if you would like further guidance or reading material explaining Confession, as well as how to prepare for Confession and Holy Communion.
Таинства назначаются только крещеным православным христианам, которые регулярно ходят в храм, исповедуются и причащаются. Обратите внимание, что для того, чтобы запланировать таинство (крещение ребенка, венчание, отпевание, и.т.д.); вообще Вы должны быть членом церкви Св. Василия.Если Вы являетесь членом другой православной церкви, Вам необходимо принести письмо от приходского священника, в котором будет указано, что Вы являетесь членом этого прихода и, что Вы получили благословение священника того храма, чтобы попросить у нас соблюдать таинство.Все крещения, свадьбы и похороны необходимо согласовывать заранее с о. Петром. Имеете ввиду, что не все дни и часы разрешены.Необходимо соблюдать все канонические, традиционные и литургические практики Церкви.Все крещения необходимо заранее обсудить с родителями ребенка. Спасибо за внимание!
On the first Sunday of Great Lent, St. Basil's Orthodox Church in Waltervliet celebrated a pan-Orthodox vespers with a procession and the rite of Orthodoxy. Serving were Archpriest Peter Olsen, the rector of St. Basil's, Protopresbyter Emmanuel Mantzouris (Greek Archdiocese), Priestmonk Christopher Savage, Prior (New Skete Monastery, OCA), Presbyter Gregory Potter (Antiochian Archdiocese), Presbyter Neofitos Sargiannis (Greek Archdiocese), Presbyter John Vazquez (Antiochian Archdiocese), and Deacon Jason Gagnon of St. Basil's in Watervliet. Assisting in the choir was Presbyter Matthew Markewich (OCA). The choir was conducted by Marie Giokas of St. Basil's. In attendance were many parishioners from the various Orthodox churches of the Capital District of upstate New York. The homily was delivered by Fr. Emmanuel, who explained the history and the theology of the dogma of the Orthodox veneration of the holy icons. A lenten meal and fellowship in the church hall followed the service. A special collection was made to support the work of IOCC.
Congratulations to Hannah Holowach, who is in the US Navy ROTC at RPI, and received the Midshipman Commendation Award.This is in recognition of her efforts as a member of the Academics Division.The citation on the certificate reads, "For achievement while carrying out the duties as an Academics Division Member. MIDN Hannah Holowach has shown great initiative and dedication as an Academics Division Member. MIDN Holowach has gone above and beyond her duties as a DM by planning and managing all exam review sessions, and academic GroupMes. She has shown commitment to herself and her fellow shipmates, and demonstrated exceptional managerial and organizational skills. She always exhibits a positive attitude and works hard to improve herself in everything she does. This makes her well deserving of the MIDN Commendation Award.”We thank Hannah for her service, and wish her many years!
Protopresbyter Thomas Hopko [March 28, 1939–March 18, 2015], was dean emeritus of St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, Yonkers, NY, and a noted Orthodox Christian priest, theologian, preacher, and speaker.
Thomas John Hopko was born in Endicott, NY, on March 28, 1939, the third child and only son of John J. Hopko and Anna [Zapotocky] Hopko. He was baptized and raised in St. Mary’s Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Greek-Catholic Church, and educated in Endicott public schools, graduating from Union-Endicott High School in 1956.
Father Thomas graduated from Fordham University in 1960 with a bachelor’s degree in Russian studies. He graduated with a theological degree from St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary in 1963, from Duquesne University with a master’s degree in philosophy in 1969, and he earned his doctorate degree in theology from Fordham University in 1982.
Ordained to the Holy Priesthood in August 1963, Fr. Thomas served the following parishes as pastor: Saint John the Baptist Church, Warren, OH (1963–1968); Saint Gregory the Theologian Church, Wappingers Falls, NY (1968–1978); and Saint Nicholas Church, Jamaica Estates, NY (1978–1983). Father Thomas was honored with the clerical rank of Archpriest in 1970 and the rank of Protopresbyter in 1995.
Beginning in 1968, Fr. Thomas began his long service to St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary. Over the years, he held the following positions at the school: Lecturer in Doctrine and Pastoral Theology, 1968–1972; Assistant Professor of Dogmatic Theology, 1972–1983; Associate Professor of Dogmatic Theology, 1983–1991; Professor of Dogmatic Theology, 1991–1992; Dean, Rector of Three Hierarchs Chapel, and Professor of Dogmatic Theology, 1992–2002.
During his years of priestly ministry, Fr. Thomas authored numerous books and articles. Most well known of these publications is The Orthodox Faith: An Elementary Handbook on the Orthodox Church. A prolific speaker and preacher, he spoke at conferences, retreats, public lectures, and church gatherings of all kinds, many of which were recorded. Fr. Thomas performed countless duties on behalf of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA), including representing the Church at intra-Orthodox gatherings and ecumenical meetings.
Upon retirement, Fr. Thomas and his wife, Anne, whom he married in June 1963, moved to Ellwood City, PA, where they lived near the Orthodox Monastery of the Transfiguration. There, Fr. Thomas began a new ministry: internet-based Orthodox Christian radio talks. Since 2008, Fr. Thomas has produced well over 400 podcasts for Ancient Faith Radio, mostly within his signature series, "Speaking the Truth in Love."
Father Thomas exercised untiring and loving pastoral care on behalf many who sought him out for spiritual guidance. His greatest desire was that every person would respond to these words of Jesus Christ: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28). He reposed in the Lord on March 18, 2015.
St. Basil's celebrated its Parish Feast Day of St. Basil the Great with His Eminence, Archbishop MICHAEL on January 1, 2025. Serving with the parish rector, Archpriest Peter Olsen, was Priest Paul Fedoroff and parish deacon Jason Gagnon. Subdeacons were Benjamin Goes and Andrew Karlgut. A festive meal and fellowship was enjoyed by all in the parish hall.
Sunday, September 29, 2024, Fr. Peter led all the faithful in special prayers on the occasion of the first day of Church School. We prayed for our children and our teachers and we all (parents, grandparents, godparents, teachers, parishioners, and the children themselves) made a commitment in his or her own way to fulfill our Christian duty to teach our children and for them to study and learn to understand and love our Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Orthodox Christian faith. Everyone was blessed with holy water after asking the Lord for His help and guidance and after we all solemnly made a commitment to nurture our children in the Faith.
We encourage you to visit the official website of the Diocese of NY and NJ,www.nynjoca.org
It includes information about various Diocesan activities: Teen Retreats, Altar Servers Retreats, Mens and Womens Retreats, Family Fun Days, the Bishop’s schedule, etc..
Diocesan Guidelines and other vital documents are also available. News about parish events and activities throughout the Diocese are also posted.
ORTHODOX IN WESTERN UKRAINE SPEND NIGHT IN CHURCH TO PREVENT SEIZURE BY GODLESS SCHISMATICS
Chernivtsi, Chernivtsi Province, Ukraine, February 21, 2025
God-fearing Orthodox Christians of the western Ukrainian city of Chernivtsi were forced to spend the night in their churches to protect them against the threat of seizure this week.
The faithful gathered in the Holy Spirit Cathedral, the Church of St. Nicholas, and the Church of Sts. Peter and Paul, which the godless schismatics of the “Orthodox Church of Ukraine” are intent on violently seizing. While the local Orthodox Christians have voted to remain faithful to Christ in the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church, a group of unaffiliated people have already voted to force the churches out of the Church and into the OCU.
Thankfully, the night of February 19–20 passed peacefully and prayerfully, reports the Union of Orthodox Journalists.
In the morning, His Eminence Metropolitan Meletiy of Chernivtsi celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the cathedral, which was filled with believers dedicated to protecting their holy site.
Outside of the Liturgy, prayer continued around the clock, with akathists to the Lord, the Most Holy Theotokos, and the saints of God.
The hierarch encouraged his flock, saying: “We believe that the Lord will bless everyone who holds to the Orthodox faith. The Lord will send grace to those who love Christ’s Church, who know Christ’s path, which is thorny and difficult, but which leads to salvation.”
Source:orthochristian.org
SUNDAY OF ORTHODOXY AT CHERNIVTSI, UKRAINE
More than 4,000 faithful Ukrainian Orthodox Christians gathered at the Holy Spirit Cathedral in Chernivtsi this weekend for the feast of the Sunday of Orthodoxy, proclaiming the true faith’s triumph over Iconoclasm and all heresies.
The local Orthodox have been prayerfully defending their cathedral against seizure by the schismatics of the “Orthodox Church of Ukraine” for several weeks now.
Following the Liturgy on Sunday, the faithful joyfully processed with icons. The video published by Orthobuk shows the procession being led by His Eminence Metropolitan Meletiy of Chernivtsi and other hierarchs:
Having learned of the “legal” re-registration of the Holy Spirit Cathedral and other churches in Chernivtsi and the schismatics’ plans to violently seize the church buildings, the faithful first gathered on the night of February 19–20 to prayerfully defend their churches, and their round-the-flock vigil has continued since.
Hundreds of cathedral parishioners proclaimed their loyalty to Christ in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church under His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kiev and All Ukraine at a parish meeting on Sunday, February 16.
Source: OrthoChristian.com
3/11/2025
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SCHISMATICS SEIZE ANOTHER CATHEDRAL IN UKRAINE
Kremenchuk, Poltava Province, Ukraine, December 30, 2024
Godless representatives of the schismatic Orthodox Church of Ukraine have seized another Orthodox cathedral, this time in Kremenchuk, Poltava Province.
“All of this happened with the tacit consent of law enforcement,” the Kremenchuk Diocese reports.
“They broke down the royal doors of the iconostasis and entered the altar; one of the OCU activists went through the doors and looked around inside, although according to Church canons, only priests and their assistants are allowed to enter the altar,” the diocese continues.
As is typical for them, the OCU members were aggressive, rude, and vulgar.
“These raiders, who don’t believe in God, are people who divide society and sow religious discord,” the diocese laments.
The whole process of seizing the church was led by Archimandrite Theodosy Ovcharuk, who, as an apostate from the Orthodox Church, has been banned from serving.
“According to the Kremenchuk Diocese, among those who came to seize the church, there was not a single parishioner or person with any connection to the church.”
The parish community of the seized Holy Dormition Cathedral reported on Facebook that the physical seizure was prefaced by the illegal re-registration of the church in July. While the church has hundreds of active parishioners, a document with a mere 26 signatures of people having no relation to the church was submitted to the authorities, and on that basis the cathedral was taken away from the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
The church also writes about the state of the schismatic OCU in the area:
Not far from the Dormition Cathedral, there’s an OCU church that’s constantly closed, in a neglected state both outside and inside. The territory is unkempt, and dirty rags hang on the windows. Liturgies are held once a week, for some reason starting at 12:00, and there are no evening services at all. This is the liturgical life of the OCU raiders.
The Holy Dormition UOC religious community consists of several hundred parishioners, not 26 like in the OCU.
It’s clear why the OCU invaders want the Holy Dormition Cathedral. The OCU church needs maintenance, decoration, and improvements, but why do that when there’s a well-maintained UOC church across the railroad tracks? According to their logic, it’s better to take away the UOC community’s church than to do anything for their own church. Where you haven’t labored is always better. The UOC community has more parishioners, the church is in good condition, and services are held daily. Better to seize the UOC church so it can stand closed and people won’t have a place to pray, rather than develop their own OCU church.
From the actions of OCU supporters, one gets the impression that they’re driven only by envy. The OCU church is closed because people don’t attend it, so the UOC church must be closed too.
Doing anything themselves isn’t what OCU raiders are about—it’s better to take from others than to beautify their own.
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