Saint Basil's Orthodox Church in Watervliet (Maplewood) NY celebrated its Patronal Feast-day of Saint Basil the Great on January 01, 2012.  Starting with the Vigil on Saturday evening and continuing with the Hierarchal Divine Liturgy celebrated on Sunday by His Grace, Bishop Michael, the faithful of Saint Basil's parish celebrated the joyous occasion.

Assisting Bishop Michael for the services were the parish rector, Archpriest Peter Olsen, along with Deacon Matthew Markewich, Sub-Deacon Mark Bohush, Reader Andrew Bohush, Reader Gregory Soloviev, Reader Gregory Woloson and Altar Server John Kasarda.  The son of Reader Mark Woloson, Gregory, was tonsured as a Reader by His Grace at the start of the service.

A new hand-carved church Cross, recently received from Russia, was blessed by His Grace. The Cross will be used on all feast-days of the Cross.  The traditional blessing of Saint Basil’s Bread (“Vasilopita”) was celebrated and the bread was then distributed to the faithful at the conclusion of the service.

Stephen Barsigian was recognized by His Grace with a certificate of appreciation (“grammata”) for his long and faithful service to the church.  Responses to the services were sung by the parish choir under the direction of Reader Michael Mellin.  Following the Divine Liturgy, a pot-luck lunch was served in the Church Center.