In just 16 days, on June 11th, the community of Saint Basil Greek Orthodox Christian Church will begin the celebratory events which will lead to the gifting of the holy relic of Saint Basil the Great to the community. From now until then, let us focus on brief reflections relating to the life of this holy saint of Christ’s Church…
...did you know; days prior to his death, while in terminal condition, Saint Basil taught his Jewish doctor the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Just before his death, Saint Basil baptized his doctor and all his family—bringing them into the Body of Christ!
Holy father Basil pray for us!
It is truly humbling and awe-inspiring to be a part of something that is bigger than the individu- als involved, and will serve for a period of time that is greater than our life! This is the experi- ence a priest feels each Divine Liturgy, the experience that each Christian feels when receiving Holy Communion, and the experience that the Saint Basil community has entered into through- out the Road to the Relic, and finally during the Receiving of the Relic, which will take place June 11-14.
Being entrusted with a relic of our Patron Saint is a particular blessing that extends beyond typical American Christian experience, as we will have the opportunity to venerate and receive the blessing of a 4th Century Bishop of the Church, a true man of God, the Heaven-Revealer, Saint Basil the Great! This blessing is not simply for us here and now, but rather is only initiated now and will extend to all future generations who seek the blessings of our Patron and Interces- sor. For all future generations, your children, grandchildren, great-grand children and beyond, the relic of Saint Basil will serve as a rock at Saint Basil Greek Orthodox Church, helping anchor them to the substance of the Faith.
The following schedule of events will be offered in celebration of this historic event:
June 11:
7:00pm - Akathist to Saint Basil the Great
Lecture: The Life of Saint Basil the Great -Applicable to the 21st Century.
- Dr. James Skedros, Th.D.
June 12:
7:00pm - Byzantine Music Concert
June 13:
11:00am - Lecture: The Role of Relics in the Christian Church - in association with the Relic of Saint Basil in 21st Century Stockton, California.
-Dr. James Skedros, Th.D.
6:00pm - Great Vespers
June 14:
8:00am - Orthros
9:00am - Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom Gifting of the Holy Relic of Saint Basil the Great, by His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco.
Saint Basil’s to any of the events, or the meals/receptions which will follow. Free-will offerings will be collected and, in honoring our Patron Saint Basil the Great, a philanthropist and defender of children, all funds collected will be donated to the trust funds established in support of the children of the Oakland Police Department officers who were murdered in the line of duty on March 21, 2009.
May our Patron and Intercessor, the Heaven-Revealer, Basil the Great pray for us!
+ Fr. Luke Palumbis