A Statement of the ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN BISHOPS OF CALIFORNIA in Support of Proposition 8:
A Constitutional Amendment to Restore the Definition of Marriage
The decision of the California Supreme Court on May 15, 2008, unilaterally redefines the sacred institution of marriage in a manner unprecedented in human history — and alien to our Christian tradition. We, the Orthodox Christian bishops of California, were saddened by this decision which constitutes a direct attack upon the longstanding role and freedom of religion in American life. A majority of the justices declared not only that same-sex couplings must be allowed to exist at those couples’ discretion as “marriages,” but that the state of California is forbidden to refer to these couplings as anything but “marriages.”
Read the entire statment
I recently attended our 2008 Archdiocese Clergy-Laity Congress in Washington D.C. The event was successful, and provided many avenues for growth in the Christian sense - both as communities and individuals. However, the most exciting part of the congress, in my opinion, was the opening address by His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios. In his opening address, aimed at exploring the congress theme: ‘Gather My People Home,” His Eminence made a powerful statement about the modern Church in America: “The Church is no longer an immigrant church, or an ecclesiastical entity of the diaspora—it is firmly rooted in American soil.” I was pleased to hear our ArchShepherd addressing dynamics of the present day Church in our country of the United States of America.
I am curious to hear your thoughts as readers of this blog. After receiving some of your comments, I will compile a report of reader’s thoughts in a future blog…all anonymous of course.
May our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ bless us on our Christian pilgrimage of illuminating the world around us with the Light of God!
In an effort to continually serve God’s people through both efficient and effective mediums, Saint Basil’s has established multi-media, internet ministries. Currently, we offer our parish website, http://www.gosaintbasil.org, podcasts, and blogs. We are currently developing audio classes that will be made available through our website and podcast.
We are interested to hear your thoughts… Are you an Orthodox Christian? ...are you not? Where are you from? What would you like to hear about through these multi-media forums to assist you on the pilgrimage of Christian living? Please respond with your thoughts by e-mailing Father Luke at,
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Please keep the ministry of Saint Basil Greek Orthodox Christian Church in your prayers, as you are in ours!
Starting Sunday June 15, 2008, Orthros will begin at 8:00am and the Divine Liturgy will begin at 9:00am. Please note the change on your calendars.
In the recent Mayoral video interviews offered by the Record, Stockton’s only mainstream newspaper, the first question posed to the six Mayoral candidates by the Record’s editorial board was, “What’s the biggest problem facing Stockton that the Mayor, together with the city council, can actually address?” From the six candidates, the only topic which received multiple recognition was, crime in the city of Stockton. One candidate refereed to living conditions in some areas of the city as, ‘bunker conditions, where citizens live behind locked doors and bars.’
Law enforcement efforts have not solved the crime experience and stigma that has stained our city for decades, yet not because of the efforts of those striving to serve our city.
Education efforts have not solved the crime experience and stigma that has stained our city for decades, however, this is not do to the efforts of the men and women who serve as teachers.
City development has not solved the crime experience and stigma that has stained our city for decades, and this is not because their offerings and products are of poor quality.
Our city suffers under a rabid experience of relativism, stemming from the breakdown of belief in truth—most profoundly manifest and witnessed in the breakdown of the family! With strong family involvement and support in the positive rearing of children, and support of adults—the efforts of law enforcement would be complimented, and produced greater results. With strong family involvement and support the education of our youth and adults would soar to new levels, as the worthy efforts of our teachers would be reinforced in the homes of those being served. With strong family involvement and support, the offerings through past, present, and future city development will be experienced and enjoyed by the majority, who will not be afraid to enter into these environments.
Although politics have the ability, and the responsibility, to address the many mechanisms which can positively impact the challenges we face as citizens of Stockton, the fuel which will allow any mechanism to function is not a product of the political arena—it is the essence of what must surround the dinner table each and every evening…a unified family, dedicated to loving one another with the authentic love of Christ.
With stronger families, and a return to focusing on the virtue of the family unit, we will participate in the re-strengthening and re-establishment of a positive culture, grown from the dinner table and spread through the neighborhood, then unto all the city! WIth this true and meaningful grassroots movement, we will address crime and all challenges that plague us in today’s society. Be assured, the challenges of this life will never cease, however, when we are united as families built upon the love of Christ, which is self-sacrificial love, we will be able to address them and overcome them.
Please, make it a priority to invest time and resources into the development of your family—in doing so, your affect will be felt and experienced by many! With such a movement, our topics of Mayoral debate will be transformed from expounding upon “the biggest problems” that face our city, to “the greatest opportunities” that face our city!
With our efforts as citizens of this town, with pride we will again utter the city theme of years past: Stockton—some place special!
To the glory of God, many of our church members have worked tirelessly to bring the church renovation project to a speedy completion, and our community will experience the fruit of their labors this weekend. Services this weekend will be held within the church building, after almost two months of celebrating Divine Services in the
Constantine & Evanthia Community Center church hall. All are welcome to join us for Divine Services; this weekend's schedule of services are as follows:
2nd Saturday of the Souls
8:00am Orthros (Matins)
9:00am Divine Liturgy
Sunday Divine Services
9:00am Orthros (Matins)
10:00am Divine Liturgy
May our Lord bless us and accept our prayers!
“I believe in frequent Communion, not casual Communion…”
Metropolitan Kalistos Ware
Metropolis of S.F. Clergy Laity Assembly Address 2008
Let us focus on the on-going miracle which takes place in the Holy Eucharist by preparing to receive the Body & Blood of our Lord God & Savior Jesus Christ. With recognition of this awesome gift, presented to us by God through His Church, our souls should yearn for the experience of Holy Communion each and every week! Honor this great honor by approaching with the fear of God, faith and love, not only in the final moments as your approach the chalice, but in the coming days which lead to the prayers of the Divine Liturgy. Each day of our life should be shepherded by love, faith, and the fear of God, and with this Christian lifestyle we will not only prepare ourselves for the miracle and grace of Holy Communion, but we will shine the Light of God into the world, by manifesting His grace throughout the world and into the hearts of mankind. Through the chalice, may our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ continue to sanctify us and forgive us of our sins.
Today began the carpet installation in the church renovation process. Due to the phenomenal Christian stewardship of some of our Saint Basil family members, all of the preparatory efforts were completed prior to the installers arrival—making the entire process easier. Tomorrow the carpet installation is scheduled for completion, and the process of reinstalling the pews will continue, with the stellar efforts of our own parishioners, under the leadership of Parish Council member Rick Gaines, who has been extraordinary through out this entire process of renovation.
With much of the carpet now down in the church building, the new iconography is truly highlighted to an even greater extent—offering glory to God through the veneration of His saints.
We are tentatively scheduled to be back in the church building for the celebration of the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, March 9th. All are welcome to experience the beauty of God’s Church!
After the interior flooding of our church, the reconditioning process continues to progress—new carpeting has been ordered, pew damage is being addresses, and the current iconography phase is now complete! We are anticipating at least another month before the reconditioning is complete, and until completion we will continue to worship in the hall on Sunday mornings. In these times, let us focus on the simplicity and humility of worship as we pray the Divine Liturgy together in the setting of our community hall.
NOTE: Liturgy this Saturday, in commemoration and celebration of the Presentation of the Lord, will not take place at St Basil’s, rather, all are encouraged to worship at our neighboring parish of the Annunciation, in Modesto, CA, where Fr. Luke will serve together with regional Vicar and Protopresbyter, the Rev. Fr Jon Magoulias. Divine Services will begin at 8:30am.
The entire Orthodox Christian community of faithful mourns the recent falling asleep of the servant of God, His Beatitude Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens and All Greece. Archbishop Christodoulos was truly a man of God, who served Christ’s Church with dynamic strength and vision. As a family, the community of Saint Basil Greek Orthodox Christian Church, will pray the memorial service for Archbishop Christodoulos this Sunday, February 3rd. Truly, the falling asleep of His Beatitude has left a great void—let us pray for his peaceful repose, and may his memory be eternal!