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!
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. 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!
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.
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.
A ministry of the Diocese of New York and New Jersey of the Orthodox Church in America , born out of a need to minister—particularly to women—by providing resources for those struggling with unplanned pregnancy, pregnancy loss, infertility, abortion, sexual trauma, or abuse, as well as pregnancy, adoption, and parenting. The ministry also supports clergy, family, and friends seeking to help women in need.
Unexpectedly pregnant?
Below are local pregnancy support resources and contact information: Zoe for Life:zoeforlife.org/need-help | 216-465-9030 — An Orthodox Christian pregnancy support ministry based in Ohio, which may be able to connect you with help in your area. Abortion Pill Reversal Hotline: 877-558-0333 | abortionpillreversal.com
Experiencing sexual abuse, trauma, or domestic violence?
RAINN (National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline): 800-656-HOPE (4673) | hotline.rainn.org/online — Connects callers with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area. National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233 | Text LOVEIS to 22522
Practical help is available for miscarriage or stillbirth from an Orthodox Christian perspective. Various services, including memorial prayers, pastoral guidance, and recommended books/websites, are available for support and healing.
Experiencing post-abortion trauma?
It’s normal to grieve a pregnancy loss, including the loss of a child by abortion. It can leave a deep hole in the heart, one that feels impossible to fill. You are not alone. Support After Abortion:supportafterabortion.com | 844-289-HOPE — A phone and text helpline offering referrals through a network of local post-abortion recovery programs. (It is hoped that Orthodox healing materials will become available in the future.)
Experiencing or grieving infertility?
Thinking about adoption? Looking for Orthodox pregnancy and parenting resources? Helpful links, book recommendations, and prayers are provided for various needs and situations.
O Blessed Matushka Olga of Alaska, Northern Light of God’s Holy Church, Quick to help all those in need, All were to you as Christ our God, New Tabitha of the Far North, Reclothe us with true holiness, Midwife and Deliverer of the suffering, Labor with us for the salvation of our souls. – From the Moleben to Blessed Olga of Alaska
GLORIFICATION OF RIGHTEOUS OLGA OF ALASKA
On June 18, 2025, His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon traveled to Alaska to preside at the services for the glorification of the Righteous Olga of Kwethluk, where hundreds of pilgrims gathered for the event from across Alaska and North America
His Beatitude and his delegation, which included Archpriest Alessandro Margheritino, Chancellor of the Orthodox Church in America and Deacon Alexander Woodill, were greeted at the Anchorage airport on Wednesday, June 18, by His Eminence Archbishop Alexei of Sitka and Alaska, along with diocesan clergy and faithful.
On Thursday morning, June 19, His Beatitude, together with a delegation of hierarchs and other clergy, traveled by air to Bethel, AK. They then continued by boat to the village of Kwethluk, St. Olga’s home, where hundreds of pilgrims had gathered together with the local faithful.
Shortly after arriving in Kwethluk, His Beatitude celebrated the final Panikhida for St. Olga at the cemetery. Following the Panikhida, her relics were carried in procession by priests to St. Nicholas Church, and placed in front of the doors of the Church from where His Eminence Archbishop Michael, Secretary of the Holy Synod of Bishops, read the official Proclamation of Glorification.
His Beatitude then presided at the celebration of the All-Night Vigil. Concelebrating with His Beatitude were His Eminence Archbishop Alexei, His Grace Bishop James of Sonora (ROCOR), His Eminence Archbishop Michael, His Eminence Archbishop Daniel of Chicago, His Grace Bishop Nikodhim of Boston, His Grace Bishop Andrei of Cleveland, and His Grace Bishop Gerasim of Fort Worth, Archpriest Daniel Charles, Diocesan Chancellor, Archpriest Vasily Fisher, parish priest of St. Nicholas Church, and various other diocesan clergy.
Before the Litya, Archbishop Alexei blessed the faithful with the new icon of St. Olga, and brought it in procession before placing it beside her relics in the center of the Church.
On the morning of Friday, June 20, His Beatitude presided at the celebration of the Primatial Divine Liturgy. Concelebrating with His Beatitude were the other hierarchs and clergy. Archbishop Alexei delivered the homily.
Following the service, the people of Kwethluk hosted the hierarchs, clergy, and pilgrims for a festive banquet at the local school.
Later that afternoon, the hierarchs and their staff returned to Bethel by boat and flew back to Anchorage, where the celebration of St. Olga’s glorification will continue this weekend at the Diocesan Cathedral.
Holy and Righteous Mother Olga of Kwethluk, Wonderworker, Matushka of All Alaska, pray to God for us!
ROMANIAN CHURCH UNCOVERS THE RELICS OF VEN. CLEOPA AND PAISIE
On April 28, at the Sihastria Monastery, the rite of uncovering the holy relics of Venerable Cleopa (Ilie) and Paisie (Olaru) was performed—an important step in the process of their official glorification as saints.
Bishop Veniamin (Goryanu) of South Bessarabia and Bishop Nichifor (Horia) of Botoșani, Vicar of the Archdiocese of Iași, together with a gathering of clergy, performed a special liturgical rite on this occasion. During the service, the relics of Venerable Paisie and Cleopa were reverently exhumed from their resting places, carefully cleansed of soil, and placed in wooden coffins. Items preserved in their graves were collected and stored in specially prepared containers.
At the end of the service, their honorable relics were transferred into the monastery church of Sihastria, where the rite concluded with the chanting of troparia composed in honor of each saint.
The uncovering was carried out according to ecclesiastical regulations, as part of the proper preparation of the holy relics, which will later be enshrined in new reliquaries currently under construction. A formal local canonization of the two saints is expected to follow in the near future.
“This day will remain historic for all of us, forever engraved in our hearts, because we all witnessed God’s work on earth in a time of human weakness. It was a day of consolation, for as you all saw, the earth was wet, and water covered the remains and coffins of both fathers. But when we brought them out of the ground, the entire cemetery was filled with fragrance,” said Bishop Nichifor of Botoșani.
Source: Orthochristian.com
ATTACK ON ST. ELIAS CHURCH OF DWEILLAA DAMASCUS
SUNDAY, JUNE 22, 2025
Statement from the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East
Note: His Eminence Metropolitan Saba, the seminarians and other pilgrims in Lebanon are a great distance from this violence, praying for the souls impacted by this attack.
Statement Issued by the Patriarchate of Antioch Damascus, June 22, 2025
On this day when our Antiochian Church commemorates All the Saints of Antioch, the treacherous hand of evil struck this evening, claiming our lives, along with the lives of our loved ones who fell today as martyrs during the evening Divine Liturgy at the Church of the Prophet Elias in Dweilaa, Damascus.
According to the initial information available at this time, an explosion occurred at the entrance of the church, resulting in the deaths of numerous martyrs and causing injuries to many others who were inside the church or in its immediate vicinity.
As we are currently counting the martyrs and the wounded, and gathering the remains and bodies of our martyrs, whose exact number we have not yet been able to determine, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East strongly condemns this heinous act and denounces, in the strongest terms, this horrific crime. It calls upon the responsible authorities to assume full responsibility for what has happened and continues to happen in terms of violation against the sanctity of churches, and to ensure the protection of all citizens.
His Beatitude Patriarch John X has been personally following the developments from the very first moment. He is conducting both local and regional communications to convey the grim reality unfolding in Damascus to the entire world. He is calling for urgent action to put an end to these massacres.
We offer our prayers for the repose of the souls of the martyrs, for the healing of the wounded, and for the consolation of our grieving faithful. We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to our faith and, through that steadfastness, our rejection of all fear and intimidation. We beseech Christ our God to guide the ship of our salvation through the storms of this world, He who is blessed forever.
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