His Grace, Bishop +Michael, made his first archpastoral visit to Saint Basil Russian Orthodox Church in Watervliet NY on Sunday, August 22, 2010.  The sister parish of Saint Nicholas (Cohoes NY) joined the faithful of Saint Basil's for Divine Liturgy and a joint-parish picnic.  About 150 parishioners and guests of both parishes enjoyed the afternoon of good food, fellowship and the opportunity to come together as one in Christ.
 
Assisting His Grace at Divine Liturgy were: Archpriest Peter Olsen (parish rector); Priest Terenti Wasiliewski (rector of St. Nicholas Church); retired Archpriests Alvian Smirenski and Archpriest Daniel Pavelchak; and Deacon Michael Burdikoff (Christ the Savior Church in Ballston Lake NY).  Francis Rose, Catherine Bradwell, and William Rentz of Saint Basil’s were recognized by Bishop +Michael for their dedicated service to St. Basil’s parish.
 
Other local clergy attending included: Archpriest Igor Burdikoff (Ballston Lake NY); Archpriest Paul Szewczuk (Saint Nicholas Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Troy NY); and Protodeacon Michael Soloviev (Nativity of the Mother of God Russian Orthodox Church (Albany NY).