Saint Basil the Great Orthodox Church

We are excited to announce that, having secured 7.5 acres of property for our permanent church home, we have begun the process of planning to relocate to the property.  This is an exciting time in the life of our community – come grow with us! [READ MORE]

Proposed Phase I and Phase II Conceptual

This year, on Saturday, May 18, Ss. Mary and Martha Monastery in Wagoner, SC will hold their annual pilgrimage, when parishioners, friends and faithful from the region will join the nuns of the monastery in worship and fellowship.  Wagoner, SC is a manageable drive from Wilmington, and it is possible (with an early departure) to arrive for the 9 am Divine Liturgy.  Hotel accommodations can also be made nearby off of Interstate 1-20 in Lexington, SC.  Please mark your calendars, and set aside some time to meet other Orthodox Christians and the nuns of the monastery.

May 18, 2013 Fourteenth Annual Ss. Mary and Martha Orthodox Monastery Pilgrimage
At Ss. Mary and Martha Monastery: 65 Spinner Lane Wagoner, SC

Schedule: 8am Matins | 9am Divine Liturgy | Potluck Luncheon |
1pm Akathist followed by Grave Blessings |4pm Vespers

Feel Free to come for part or all of the day – there will be plenty of opportunities to socialize, walk the grounds and enjoy the day.  Events will take place rain or shine, under the tent outdoors.

As we enter the “final stretch” of our paschal journey, there are many services to be served, and some planning that needs to take place.  Our services for the remainder of the week are:

• Wed. @ 6pm Bridegroom Matins with Unction (the anointing at the conclusion of this service is one of the mysteries of the church, reserved for baptized Christians in good standing.  Please prepare for this service as you would communion – with prayer, fasting and a recent confession).
• Thursday @ 6pm Matins of Holy Friday
• Friday @ 4pm Vespers of Holy Saturday (lenten meal to follow)
• Friday @ 6pm Matins of Holy Saturday
• Saturday @ 9:30am Divine Liturgy of Holy Saturday
• Saturday @ 11:30pm Paschal Nocturns and Festal Matins/Divine Liturgy of our Lord’s Resurrection
• Sunday @ 12:00 noon Paschal Agape Vespers at Hugh McRae Park – joint service with St. Nicholas
• Sunday @ 2:30pm until Open house/picnic at the Robichau Home (238 Tanbridge) – Burgers and sausage provided, please bring a dish to share, and perhaps some lawn chairs.

“The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof.” 1 Cor 10:26

Thanks to God, and the generosity of many, St. Basil Orthodox Church has closed on property that will (God willing) serve as our permanent home in southeastern North Carolina.  It is our distinct honor to be able to take a small portion of land, to consecrate it for a sacred purpose, offer it back to God and to invite those around us to come, “taste and see that the Lord is good.”  Please pray for us in the days ahead – there is much work to be done by building, finance and grounds committees, and many pieces still need to fall in line before we can begin to use the property for regular worship services.

If you have pledged toward this initial phase, please make your offering within the next two weeks.  If you have not been able to give toward this project, but would like to, please let me know.

In XC,

Fr. Peter

A schedule of services for Great Lent has been posted, and is available in a convenient, printable format for your convenience.  Please take advantage of the opportunity to increase our prayer and acts of charity/kindness while decreasing our consumption (in kind and portion).  This is a great gift of the Church to help us learn self-restraint and sacrifice for the sake of eternity and our spiritual well being.

On Sunday, February 24, St. Basil Orthodox Church will host Stephanos and Alexandria Ritsi, missionary candidates to Albania, during the divine liturgy.  Stephanos will offer the sermon, and the couple will present on the work of the Church in Albania at the conclusion of Divine Liturgy.  Please, come and see what God is doing in the Albanian Church, and support the work of the Ritsis generously (an offering will be collected at the conclusion of Divine Liturgy, and all are encouraged to support the Ritsis through regular support of their work).

Read more about the Albanian Church here!

St. Basil Orthodox Church has officially made an offer on 7.5 acres of property in the growing region of North Wilmington (New Hanover County). There are still many hurdles that need to be cleared before purchasing the property (God willing), but we thank God for this opportunity to continue our outreach to the people of Wilmington. We will keep you posted!

Potential Site of New Church Property on Blue Clay Rd.

On February 24, 2012, Stephanos and Alexandria Ritsi will be giving a presentation about their future mission work in the country of Albania. The Orthodox Church of Albania, under the direction of His Beatitude Archbishop Anastasios, is experiencing a continued revival since the many years of persecution by the Ottoman Empire and the harsh communist government of Enver Hoxha (1945-1991).  Stephanos and Alexandria will share stories about the rebirth of the Orthodox Faith in the country of Albania and the future works that they will be doing there.  These works will include: helping to reestablish the religious life of the Orthodox Church; preparation and education of students at the University of Tirana; education at the Protagonist Elementary School and helping to bring more Albanian people back into the Orthodox Church.

For the past year, St. Basil has been collecting food weekly to distribute to those in need in our city – all donations are appreciated.  Thank you to all who have helped in this ministry.

Congratulations, and Many Years, to the newly baptized servant of God, Maxim, his family and sponsors!