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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, children and individuals who are looking for a deeper experience of the salvation offered in Jesus Christ. Come and see!

**All services are in English                  

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. Because the Eucharist is one of the Sacred Mysteries of the Orthodox Church, only baptized and chrismated Orthodox Christians who have prepared themselves through recent Confession, prayer and fasting may receive Holy Communion.  This is the ancient tradition of the Holy Church for the 2,000 years of its history.  The Orthodox Church understands the Holy Eucharist as aMystery of the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist, not simply as a memorial or in a merely spiritual sense.  We ask that you respect the ancient, apostolic tradition regarding Holy Communion.  Rather, we invite you to receive the blessed bread (antidoron) at the end of the Divine Liturgy.  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.  Children begin going to Confession at seven years of age.

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!

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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.

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518-273-6262

kaolsen2410@gmail.com

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OUR RELIQUARY
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LIFE AT ST. BASIL'S

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Ancient Faith Radio
Orthodoxy in America
SCHEDULE THIS WEEK

Sunday - May 24 - 9:10 am - Hours and Divine Liturgy. No Class. Coffee Hour

May 26 - Tuesday - 6:00 pm - Catechism

May 30 - Saturday - 5:30 pm - Great Vespers with Blessing of Loaves

May 31 - Sunday - PENTECOST - 9:10 am - Hours and Divine Liturgy. Vespers with Kneeling Prayers. Coffee Hour.

2:30 pm - Panikhida at St. Basil's Cemtery. Blessing of graves

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                       

                                                         

 
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MET. HILARION ALFEYEV FALSELY IMPRISONED BY CZECH POLICE
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Renowned theologian, scholar, and churchman Metropolitan Hilarion Alfeyev was falsely arrested and imprisoned by Czech police.  In a video broadcast posted on Yandex His Beatitude informs us that on May 24, 2026, while riding in his car with other passengers, he was abruptly surrounded and stopped by Czech police.  Without any explanation, the police officers ordered His Beatitude and the passengers to vacate the automobile.  He was ordered to surrender his personal effects and all personal official documents.  The car and all personal belongings of His Beatitude were searched.  The police produced two miniscule envelopes containing illegal narcotics that they claim they found in the car.  His Beatitude acknowledged that this was his car, but that he never saw these envelopes before.  Furthermore, His Beatitude stated that in his entire life he has never seen or come into contact with any such illegal substances.  As the harassment continued, Vladika was handcuffed and imprisoned overnight.  He could not change his clothes, there was no warm water, and he was basically deprived of basic human necessities.  Vladika described his imprisonment as a special time of prayer in the presence of God and a special appreciation of basic human needs that he previously took for granted.  The next day his cell door was opened and he was told that he was free.  No explanation of anything was offered by Czech police or authorities.  Vladika likened his freedom akin to the miraculous liberation of the Apostle Paul and Silas and the Apostle Peter when they were imprisoned. Vladika thanked the attorney who was provided to represent him.  Vladika also offered gratitude to His All Holiness Patriarch Kirill, the Russian Consulate, and other Russian government officials for their assistance.  Vladika is currently retired as a bishop and is serving the Patriarchal Russian Orthodox Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in Karlovy Vary, Czechoslovakia.  Satan never rests.  The worldwide campaign against the Orthodox Church, especially the Russian, the Serbian, and the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church continues unabated, and the harassment of Vladika Hilarion continues as well...
MET. HILARION (ALFEYEV) ASSIGNED TO SERVE IN BRAZIL
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His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev) has been assigned to serve in Brazil by decree of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, issued yesterday, June 3.

Patriarchia.ru reports:

By decree of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia of June 3, 2026, the retired Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev), in connection with the impossibility, due to objective circumstances, of further carrying out the decision of the Holy Synod that had assigned him to serve at the Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul in Karlovy Vary (Journal No. 141 of December 27, 2024), is directed to serve in the Argentine and South American Diocese.

“The Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul in the city of Santa Rosa, Brazil, as well as the Church of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian in the city of Campina das Missões, Brazil, are designated as your place of service, where you are to reside,” the decree of His Holiness the Patriarch states.

The decision comes days after Met. Hilarion returned to Russia from the Czech Republic. On June 1, he concelebrated with Pat. Kirill at Holy Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra on the feast of Pentecost.

Met. Hilarion had been detained by Czech police on May 24 after drugs were found in his vehicle. He was released on May 26 without charge, without bail, and without any additional conditions. The Metropolitan has denied any connection to the drugs, maintaining that they were planted in his car.

Moscow, June 4, 2026

Source:  Orthochristian.org

 
ARCHBISHOP MICHAEL SERVES WITH PATRIARCH OF SERBIA
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Belgrade, June 4, 2026

His Eminence Archbishop Michael of New York and the Diocese of New York and New Jersey of the Orthodox Church in America concelebrated the Divine Liturgy on Wednesday, June 3, with His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Porfirije before the Belt of the Most Holy Theotokos at the Church of St. Sava on Vračar.

Also serving at the Liturgy were other hierarchs and clergy of the Serbian Church, monks from Vatopedi Monastery on Mt. Athos, who brought the holy Belt, Archpriest John Parker, dean of Saint Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary in South Canaan, Pennsylvania, and Archpriest Josiah Trenham.

The service drew a large gathering of clergy, monastics, and faithful, who filled the cathedral as pilgrims continued to come in large numbers to venerate one of the most revered relics in the Orthodox world, reports tvhram.rs.

​Second from the left is Fr. John Parker, with Fr. Josiah Trenham next to him. Photo: tvhram.rs    

During the Liturgy, Pat. Porfirije read a prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos for the peace, health, and salvation of the Serbian people according to the centuries-old liturgical tradition of Vatopedi Monastery.

In his homily, Pat. Porfirije said the Lord reveals to humanity the way of life that leads to communion with God and participation in the Kingdom of Heaven. He noted that human achievements, when separated from God, remain bound by transience and death, while the Kingdom of God is already present through the Church and Jesus Christ.

Speaking about the saints as guides to the Kingdom, the Patriarch pointed especially to the Most Holy Theotokos, describing her as the foremost example of life in Christ and as a protector and intercessor for the faithful. Referring to the long lines of pilgrims who had come to venerate her Belt, he said their presence bore witness to living faith, unity in Christ, and love for God.

Photo: tvhram.rs    

The Patriarch also recalled St. Constantine’s vision of the Cross and St. Helen’s finding of the Precious Cross. He said the Cross conquers sin, hatred, and selfishness, and that true peace comes when a person joins his life to Christ.

Concluding his homily, Pat. Porfirije urged the faithful to make prayer a way of life, recalling the prayers, “Most Holy Theotokos, save us” and “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”

Following the Divine Liturgy, the Serbian primate the gathered faithful and greeted those who had waited for hours to venerate the Belt of the Most Holy Theotokos.

Source:  Orthochristian.org
CONGRESSWOMAN LUNA SECURES RELEASE OF U.O.C. HIERARCH
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Representative Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) reports that she worked with Ukrainian authorities to secure the release of His Eminence Metropolitan Arseny of Svyatogorsk of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church, who is a target of persecution by the Ukrainian state.

“For some time we had been working to secure the release of Metropolitan Arseniy from prison in Ukraine. He was in desperate need of heart surgery and I am happy to report he was released to receive the desperate medical attention he needed and, although on house arrest, is now recovering,” she posted on X on Sunday.

Met. Arseny was initially detained on April 25, 2024, for mentioning a military checkpoint in a homily months prior, with authorities claiming he was secretly relaying military positions to the Russian military. He was finally released from detention on February 25 of this year, with the case against him having made no progress over the course of nearly two years. He remains under house arrest.

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna. Photo: newhampshirebulletin.com    

Representative Luna is one of few in Congress who are willing to vocally defend the persecuted Ukrainian Orthodox Church. She has met with pan-Orthodox delegations several times to discuss this and other issues.

Her post on X continued:

I want to thank the Ukrainian officials we worked with on this issue and will continue to maintain open lines of communication, although I am still concerned that these UOC clergyman are being targeted and have heard that they are continuing to be sent to the front lines in combatant roles which is against international law.

I will continue to fight for Christians being persecuted, especially if it is in a country that is ASKING for our aid, and will be tracking all of this.

 

Source:  Orthochristian.org

 

 
 
 
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6 Lansing Avenue
Watervliet, NY 12189
Phone: 518-273-6262