Decisions, decisions. By design God has provided us with the capacity and ability to choose freely. By virtue of the contemporary times that we live in, we are presented with a myriad of opportunities to make decisions; from the trivial to the life-impacting. Each of us individually has a process that we go through, some conscious, some unconscious, that help us arrive at those decisions. Lists of pluses and minuses, a SWOT analysis, talking to a trusted confidant, or maybe even holding on to a lucky rabbit foot? It seems that the larger the decision, we often add another component to the process; attempting to discern what God’s will is.
How is it that we attempt to discern the will of God? I have found myself at various points in my life, as perhaps you have, in the crux of large decisions — on my knees, praying that God will simply ‘tell me what to do!’ Miracles of this nature have happened, and our holy Orthodox tradition attests to that. However, in the daily grind of our Christian pilgrimage we must take root in the message that God has already offered us, and not simply hope in the message that He may miraculously send to us.
Our Father in Heaven has given us a mind to think, a heart to feel, and a soul to discern. Furthermore, He has provided us with His Gospel message of love that teaches us the essence of how to apply love in our daily life. With all of these gifts, given to us by the Lord, we all obtain a blessed roadmap that leads to the discernment of God’s will. This map does not direct us to a particular job, dynamics with that one family member, or even who to marry! Rather, this map shepherds us toward the understanding of how we are to carry ourselves within any situation.
When we attempt to seek God’s will, we always arrive at the point of redirecting our ques- tion. Rather than what should I do, we ask, what decision will provide the best opportunity for me to love?
As we begin the Ecclesiastical New Year this September 1 and review our individual and family priorities as they will reflect in church events, after-school activities, work schedules, and social events — I encourage everyone to ask themselves as we commit to scheduling… ‘What is God’s will.’
Beginning with weekly attendance at the Divine Liturgy, and the plethora of community programs and activities, choose to include the House of the Lord as a priority in respect to one of your most precious possessions — time.
In this Ecclesiastical New Year, let us love one another in the most perfect way that we are able — with a love that is centered on the love of Jesus Christ. With a commitment to active parish life, your ability to discern and follow the will of God will be significantly increased, as it is through His Church that we most authentically learn to love, as it is through His Church that we receive His love.
May our Patron, Saint Basil the Great, intercede on our behalf in this most pilgrimage of faith . . . a pilgrimage centered on the will of God.
+ Fr. Luke Palumbis
“First in prominence among the Apostles, and teachers to the Universe, intercede to the Master of all for peace in the world and for our souls great mercy.”
Apolytikion of the feast of Saints Peter & Paul
Christ is Risen!
In the above hymn, we ask Saints Peter and Paul to continue the ministry they dedicated their lives to when they were alive 2000 years ago — to help bring peace into the world. Despite mass conflict, both internal and external to their camps, violence, and even their own martyrdoms, the holy Apostles Peter and Paul brought the tremendous experience of authentic peace into the world, by bringing the world authentic knowledge and experience of God. Peace is commonly misunderstood as experience absent of conflict, however, an authentic Christian understanding of peace, simply refers to experience and presence of the Lord.
Saint Peter shepherded the ministry of bringing the most authentic understanding and experience of God to the Jews, as Saint Paul embarked upon the same minis- try to the Gentiles. Through their efforts, and lives of holiness, the Holy Spirit grew the experience of God in their time and throughout the previous 2000 years of the Church’s history. Today, we continue to ask Saints Peter and Paul to bring the experience and presence of God into our lives through their saintly prayers and intercessions on our behalf.
Although we continually ask for, and rely upon, the intercession of the Saints in our journey for authentic peace and sanctification, we must also follow in their footsteps and actively dedicate ourselves to the bringing of peace — that is, the active lifestyle of rejoicing and sharing in the Lord of God in this world. With this focus in daily life, we continue the work of Saints Peter and Paul, perhaps not as Apostles sent forth to preach the Word of God, but as parents, children, employ- ees, bosses, students, friends, etc. . . all living apostolic lives, in that we share the Good News of God’s unending love with the world around us through the example of our own pilgrimage of faith.
As the Church prepares to celebrate the lives and ministries of Saints Peter and Paul on June 29, the faithful are called to greater focus through heightened disci- pline during the Apostles Fast, which begins May 31. Allow this focus and disci- pline to direct your daily life to the journey and quest for peace in the world. Christ has breathed upon us in the Eucharist, and peace has come upon us, let us now follow the example of the Apostles and share it with the world — beginning around our own dinner table, then extending to the world around us.
Peace be with you. And with your spirit.
+ Fr. Luke Palumbis
“The Gospel is addressed to all people, and therefore the work of the Church remains incomplete as long as it is restricted to certain geographical areas or social classes. Its field of action is universal and is active in both sectors that welcome the good tidings and those which at first may reject them. Mission was not the duty of only the first generations of Christians. It is the duty of Christians of all ages.”
The Christian experience is one of prayer, actions of love, and growth. Through prayer- fulness, Christians continually affirm allegiance, dependancy, and faith in God. The experience of prayer occurs individually, communally, with formality, and informality, answering the call of the Apostle Paul to, “pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) Loving acts define the very nature of the Christian pilgrimage, as they, when offered with purity of heart, manifest the presence of God, “for God is Love.” (1 John 4:8)
With prayer sustaining the motivation toward the virtue of Christian experience, geared toward the pleasing of our Father who is in heaven, we are propelled into a lifestyle that is pleasing to Him, and promotes AGAPE in daily life. Authentic love propagates a yearning for good. That which is good for our loved ones, and all others who God has created in this world, regardless of our temporary, or worldly, relationship with them. The very essence of this desire for goodness upon all of God’s people is articulated each Divine Liturgy as the priest asks, “For those who hate us, and for those who love us, that our Lord may have mercy upon their souls.” (from the Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom) Recognizing that God is good, and the source of all that is good, if we truly love another, our deepest desire must be for them to receive God, who is the experience that every soul longs for in heaven and earth.
Love amongst people is most authentically experienced in the invitation one offers to another to experience God. There is no substitute, as there is nothing more valuable than the experience of God in one’s life. The experience of God can be felt anywhere at any time, as God’s presence and activity can not be limited; however, it is in God’s House, His Holy Orthodox Church, that the Mystery and experience of God is consistently and verifiably extended to those who seek Him.
Pray about your Christian lifestyle! Allow this experience of prayer to motivate your ability to authentically love those around you! With Christian love as your motivation, offer to those around you what is most good and precious for their souls — the experience and presence of God, found in His Holy Orthodox Church! Begin with your family, to your friends, your acquaintances, and those who you cross paths with in daily life!
Be a Christian missionary in San Joaquin County - Be an Orthodox Christian!
+ Fr. Luke Palumbis
After the Nativity season, it is common for us to reflect on the past month, and recognize the blessings associated with it. With a minimum level of maturity, we suddenly realize that giving is much more enjoyable than receiving, and the reminiscing of Christmas offerings turn to “what we gave others,” rather than “what we received from others.” This epiphanal realization is not only a sign of maturity, but a reflection of spiritual growth, as the act of giving is much more Godly, than the act of receiving. What do you remember more clearly - what you received from others in life or what you gave to others?
2009 was a historic year for this beloved community of Saint Basil’s, which we are all extremely blessed to be a part of! In February 2009, a relic of our Patron Saint was received, officially gifted by His Eminence in July, and enshrined within the church and community. To have been a recipient of such a profound and historic blessing is an epic event in the life of this community.
2010 provides us with an opportunity to truly honor and expand upon the blessing of having been recipients of this great gift and blessing, as we now will be benefactors of the same blessing, to a sister-parish in Northern California! His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos, will remove a piece of the relic of Saint Basil, and it will be officially gifted to the Saint Basil Greek Orthodox Church, in San Jose, California, on the feast of the Three Hierarchs, Saturday, January 30.
Our Saint Basil community now completes a cycle of generosity and Christian love, as we revolve around the blessing of the relic of Saint Basil, both as recipi- ent and benefactor. Humbled to be blessed with the opportunity to experience the same blissful openhandedness as our benefactor, the pious priest-monk on the island of Cyprus. What a blessing to ‘walk in his shoes,’ if even only in this single act of generosity and love!
Once again, Saint Basil’s relic blesses us by allowing us to be benefactors of a historic, priceless connection with one of Christ’s holy saints, to a sister commu- nity of faithful Orthodox Christians.
May the holy relic of our patron, Saint Basil the Heaven-Revealer, bless the faithful of San Jose, and may it continue to extend powerful blessings to the faithful of Stockton!
Rejoice, O Basil, great and holy hierarch, universal lamp of Orthodoxy! (from the Akathist Service to Saint Basil the Great)
“We assemble not in the church to pass away the time, but to gain some great benefit for our souls.”
Saint John Chrysostom
Can there ever be an experience absent of rules that does not lead to anarchy? Without borders to individual and societal action, the combination of multiple agendas, both intentional and instinctual, will continually impact one another, ultimately with damaging force, which will provoke destruction on permanent levels. Imagine for a moment, if for just one day the city of Stockton announced there would be no laws, no assumed rules of edict, and no repercussions in response to any actions. After one day of ‘freedom,’ one may wonder how long it would take to restore Stockton to it’s previous state?
Therefore, the question is asked; “Can there by freedom without restraints?” Is there a culture, a government, a society, a community, an institution, or any form of relationship that claims freedom, without a balance of law?
There is only one union that experiences true freedom, absent of law; a pure experience and union with God. The perfect awareness of pure freedom can only come to fruition when we participate in His immaculate love, which when complete, negates the purpose and necessity of the law in every sense. Plainly stated, when authentic love is experienced, there is no need for laws and constraints, and perfect freedom may finally be achieved.
As God is love, He extends this opportunity of true freedom to us on a continual basis, yet due to our self-inflicted limitation of sin, we fail to respond and never achieve a sustained experience of that freedom on earth. There are moments, as brief as they may be, that we are blessed with a glimpse of freedom free of constraint, true love absent of law. These are the moments when we choose to rid ourselves of preconceived notions, agendas, ego, and pride, and replace them all with simple and profound desire for God in our life. These are the moments of true mystery, when we give ourselves up to the awesomeness and lovingkindness of our Father who art in Heaven.
As we pray the Divine Liturgy during these approaching great celebrations; The Nativity of Our Lord, The Feast Day of our Patron Saint Basil the Great, and each experience of The Lord’s Day, it is our opportunity to receive that perfect freedom extended to us by God—that great benefit to our soul that Saint John Chrysostom writes; the perfect freedom that is the perfect experience of love.
“...we ask You, Lord: Remember all Orthodox Bishops who rightly teach the word of Your Truth, all presbyters, the diaconate in Christ, all priestly and monastic orders. ...those in public service; grant them O Lord, to serve and govern in peace, that through the faithful conduct of their duties, we may live peaceful and serene lives in all piety and holiness. Above all, remember, O Lord, our Archbishop Gerasimos; grant that he may serve Your holy churches in peace; keep him safe, honorable, and healthy for many years…”
-From the Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom
The Divine Liturgy culminates the Christian journey for a person of faith, each time they participate. Healing, sanctification, and unity are offered by God to the faithful, and the faithful is shepherded, by the prayers of the Church, in their approach to God. As directed by the Divine Liturgy, one powerful experience of the Christian journey is the recognition of, and praying for our leaders; both our God-chosen Ecclesiastical leaders, and our secular leaders! In the above prayer, taken from the Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom, we are guided by the Church’s wisdom to pray for all our clergy, and all those in public service. The prayer commences by specifically directing the faithful to remember, above all, their own bishop—at this point, we at Saint Basil Greek Orthodox Church pray for Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco.
Leadership is an experience of shepherding others to a destination or an experience. Without God supporting this journey, any destination or experience that may be reached will be finite and ultimately insignificant! The Church, and all Her clergy, strive to shepherd the faithful to the ultimate experience of God, found in the Kingdom of Heaven, where there is eternal peace and serenity. Civic leaders, and all those in public service, are called by the Church to serve and govern in the effort to ensure an experience of worldly peace and serenity—so that those living in the world may have a respite amidst its uncertainty. The Church calls all faithful to prayerfully support those who embark upon these leadership journeys.
The leadership experience, when fueled by the desire to lead others to the eternal or worldly experiences of peace and serenity, is difficult. It is under constant attack, from the evil one who opposes the destination, and even at times come under attack from those who are being lead! Yet, faithful clergy and civic leaders perceiver with love, and the faith that, with God, all things are possible!
As people of faith, in your daily prayer rule, pray for our Metropolitan Gerasimos! ...pray for our National, State, and Local civic leaders! ...and, humbly I ask that you pray for your parish priest! The peacefulness and serenity of the Kingdom are waiting for you!
Kyrie Eleison, Kyrie Eleison, Kyrie Eleison!
...with God, all things are possible. (Matthew 19:26)
As a child, one of my favorite occasions was a trip to the Baskin & Robbins ice cream store. Whether with the entire family or simply ‘running in’ while my mom or dad waited in the car — the mere vision of 31 flavors was a beautiful thing, and warranted my full attention! For myself, I was never too adventurous and remained with a few trusted flavors; chocolate chip, root beer, and good old fashion vanilla!
Baskin & Robbins teaches a profound lesson in an American principle, the ability to differentiate and choose from multiple options. Whether we attach a fancy title to that process, such as ‘market options, diversification, or competitive field,’ it simply comes down to what we learned as kids in front of those windows, staring at 31 delicious flavors.
This process works tremendously in the free-market system, developing higher quality products as a result of competition. However, when it has been applied to Christianity, such as in the case of Christian churches in America, a dangerous and common process of watering-down of substance takes place with each new ‘innovative flavor.’ Yet once we find it, even before we are able to absolutely commit ourselves to Christ’s Holy and Orthodox Church, we must first have an understanding and experience of ‘what flavor it is.’
Many ‘church flavors’ exist; youth, senior, programs, hall rentals, community center, ethnic, etc. . . however, in Orthodoxy, without denying any of the above, or other applicable dynamics, first and foremost:
THE ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CHURCH IS A WORSHIPING CHURCH!
Through liturgical and individualized prayer, the Church provides an opportunity for the faithful to experience God. With the experience of God, healing and authentic purpose enters into the lives of the faithful as we progress through the life we have been blessed with; whether, old or young, man or woman, rich or poor! Through a dedication to the worshipping life of Christ’s Church, the Christian pilgrimage becomes a blessed lifestyle that journeys through the highs and lows of life, not promising easy times, but affirming a foundation that will withstand any challenge that this life may encounter!
September 1 marks the Ecclesiastical New Year once again beginning the cycle of liturgical services in Christ’s Holy Church. You are invited to journey and be edified by the worshipping life of the Orthodox Church as it is prayed at Saint Basil’s and in conjunction with the millions of other Orthodox Christians world-wide!
“What flavor is the Orthodox Church?” “The worshipping kind.” Take a bite!
+Fr Luke Palumbis
“Blessed are You, O Lord; teach me Your statutes.”
Psalm 119:12 . . . included in the Doxology Hymn
At the conclusion of the morning Orthros (Matins) service, a powerful and beautiful hymn is prayed, offering glory to God; the Doxology hymn. Amidst numerous recognitions of the glorious, benevolent nature of God, a request is made, taken from Scripture, “...teach me Your statutes.” (Psalm 119:12) Humbling and kinetic how those praying, ask God for contin- ued learning.
The Church, in the Doxology hymn, links the glory of God with our need to continually learn about Him. This link, and affirmation of Christian education is not segregated to any group within the collective faithful, but rather is a blanket statement that applies to all the faithful; young and old, male and female, ‘cradle’ and convert,’ etc…
The support God provides us in our journey of Christian education is found in His Church. For 2000 years, the Church has supported, and promoted the learning of the faithful about God, responding to the words of the Ethiopian eunuch who answered the Apostle Philip when he asked if he understood the Scriptures he was reading, “How can I unless someone guides me.” (Acts 8:31) Countless schools, catechisms, individual and group conversations have been offered by Christ’s Church to any and all who cry out the Doxological verse, “...teach me Your statutes.”
The Church today is no exception! Built upon the experience and continuity of 2000 years, the Orthodox Church continues to offer education to all who desire to learn and live a Christian life. Adult education, youth education, internet education — all available at Saint Basil’s for any and all who fervently pray the call of Psalm 119:12.
Adults: You are the example to the generations following you, including today’s children. Show them your love for God by encouraging them to learn about Him — sign them up for Sunday School, encourage them to get the most out of their experience there, ask them what they are learning.
Children: God has called you to honor and respect your parents, especially Our Father in Heaven! In order to honor and respect Him, we must try to know Him to the best of our ability — join the Sunday School program, so that you may learn about Our Father in heaven, His Holy Church, and how they are the foundation of our lives.
As the Church, the gathering of the faithful, both young and old, let us strive to not only sing the Doxology Hymn each Sunday morning, but rather live it, recognizing it as a compass — directing us to offer glory to God, and yearning to be taught about Him!
*Registration for both adult and youth religious education programs will take place this September, after the festival.
+Fr Luke Palumbis
The journey began over two and one-half years ago, and the culmination took place last month, when Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco officially gifted the holy relic of Saint Basil the Great to the Saint Basil community. In honor of this historic Christian event, the gifting was preceded by three days of events honoring Saint Basil: liturgical services, theological lectures, a Byzantine music concert, and multiple displays of healthy Christian hospitality and fellowship.
Many thanks to all individuals and organizations who offered their time, talents, and treasures to bring these events to fruition! Your expression of stewardship during, and leading up to, these events were a blessing that was appreciated by your clergy, your fellow parishioners who participated in the events, all those who visited from varied backgrounds, and of course — Saint Basil himself!
Now that the relic is enshrined in this community, the lectures have been offered, the concert has been heard, the cookies have been eaten, and the table cloths have been put away — what now? Reflections of these events will be made available through the parish website, a documentary DVD is being produced in honor of the historic gifting, and a process of producing church hymns has been initiated in veneration of the historic gifting, but still, after they have been viewed — then what?
Now we are called to continually experience what we so eagerly anticipated over these past months, and years — the reality that a relic of our Patron Saint is physically here blessing us, and tangibly reminding us of a standard of Christian pilgrimage! We honored Saint Basil with these beautiful and prayerful events, now we are called to continually honor him by striving to live our Christianity with the same dedication and fervor that he did. The presence of the relic serves as a constant reminder and motivation to this call to Christian lifestyle.
Metropolitan Gerasimos gifting the relic of Saint Basil on June 14, 2009 was the major climax of Saint Basil’s Road to the Relic, and marks a new feast day of this community! Moreover, this historic event created a reality which produced continually new climaxes in the lives of the faithful who are blessed by this relic — climaxes which take place each time we align ourselves with Christ, as Saint Basil aligned himself to Christ. These climaxes have the potential to take place multiple times in each of our lives, and if we continue to allow them to — than we truly are experiencing a piece of authentic Christian tradition.
Each time that you venerate, or even think about, the relic of Saint Basil the Great, let his holy example of Christian living inspire your own. This is the tradition of Christ’s Church — ultimately, the shepherding of those seeking sanctification, seeking mercy, seeking love — ultimately, seeking God!
Pray for us, “O Basil, great and holy hierarch, universal lamp of Orthodoxy!” (taken from the Akathist to Saint Basil the Great)
+ Fr. Luke Palumbis
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
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