Saint Basil's Orthodox Church in Watervliet/Maplewood NY celebrated its Patronal Feast-Day on Tuesday, 1 January 2013. Celebrating the service for the feast-day of the Circumcision of the Lord along with the commemoration of Saint Basil the Great was His Grace, Bishop Michael, assisted by Father Peter Olsen, parish rector. The traditional cutting of the Saint Basil’s Bread (Vasilopita) containing a coin was held, with the one receiving the coin being “blessed” for the coming year through the intercession of Saint Basil.

Bishop Michael also blessed an icon of Saint Alexander Hotovitsky, the original founder of the parish in 1901.  “We pray that the spiritual presence of the icon of Saint Alexander will serve as an inspiration for all ... well into the future,” said parishioner Bill Rentz.

At the conclusion of the services a luncheon brunch was held in the Church Center.