The parishioners of Saint Basil Orthodox Church in Watervliet NY celebrated their parish feast day on January 1st with the commemoration of Saint Basil the Great. This is the only OCA church in our diocese consecrated to the commemoration of Saint Basil.  The sister parishes of Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker (Cohoes NY) and Christ the Savior (Milton NY) joined the faithful of Saint Basil's for the celebration.

His Grace, Bishop +Michael, joined the faithful for Vespers on Friday evening December 31st and also celebrated the Divine Liturgy on Saturday. Assisting His Grace were the rector of Saint Basil's Archpriest Peter Olsen, Archpriest Alvian Smirensky (retired), Priest Terenti Wasiliewski (Rector of Saint Nicholas Church), Archpriest Igor Burdikoff (Rector of Christ the Savior Church), and Deacon Michael Tarris.

Bishop +Michael recognized Michael Belokopitsky, Anne Marsolais, Lubov Wolosen and Dorothy Acker for their dedicated services to Saint Basil’s parish by presenting each of them with a "gramota."

After the Divine Liturgy a pot-luck dinner was held at Saint Basil’s Center attended by the faithful of the parishes. This marks the third occasion within a year that the parishes have joined together as one in Christ for prayer and fellowship.