March GOYA (high/middle school) Ministry Meeting for St. Basil

On Saturday, March 14th we had our monthly GOYA (high school and middle school) meeting.  Our GOYA meets every 2nd Saturday evening (5 p.m.) of the month at the Park Ridge Senior Center.  We also have one other event each month.  This month we'll be having a Lenten lock-in at the church on March 27-28.  Fore more information contact the church at 312-243-3738.

Mission Presentation at St. Basil Church

On Friday, March 6th, immediately following the Akathist Hymn service, parishioners at St. Basil were given a presentation by Ms. Laura Paulus, on Orthodox missions.  Ms. Paulus has been on a number of mission trips - to Guatemala, Tanzania, Galilee, Mexico and Alaska.  She spoke from her own experience as well as generally about missions and the need to help support Orthodox missionary work throughout the world.  Much thanks to Ms. Paulus for taking the time to visit with and present her knowledge and experience to our parish.

An Interesting Video on the Beauty of the Cross

As we enter the mid-week of Great and Holy Lent (the week on which we remember the cross of Christ), the following video offers some spiritual food for thought.

Photos of Fire Repair at St. Basil Church

Below see a collection of photos from the progress on our church repairs.

New iconostasion.

New chandeliers half assembled.

Assembled chandelier - covered to protect from construction dust.

Pillars wrapping steel support columns (these pillars were taken from the old iconostasion).

Smoke ventilation hoods to take candle smoke out of the narthex (they still need to be covered in stone).

St. Basil Parish Apokreatiko Glendi 2015

On Sunday, February 15th, St. Basil celebrated its annual Apokreatiko Glendi.  Turn out was great and much thanks to Gus and Eleni Sarolas for coordinating the day - and to all who helped with their time and talents.

Dress a Girl Dresses Delivered to Children in India

The pictures attached say a thousand words.  These are pictures of dresses and boy's pants that were made by our St. Basil Philoptochos Ladies with the assistance of their sister churches and friends for their Dress a Girl Around the World project.  The dresses were hand carried to India by a relative of one of our members, and these pictures are of the 3 to 5 year old children.  Another group (6 to 10 year old children) will be receiving their dresses and/or boys pants the week of February 15th, and we look forward to sharing them with you.

Dorothy & Helene

Progress on Rebuilding Upstairs at St. Basil

Progress continues at a quick clip upstairs.  See photos below.

Philoptochos Yiayia's Kouzina Bake Session

On Saturday, January 24th, about 20 people gathered at St. Basil church to bake koulourakia for the Yiayia's Kouzina Easter season orders.  Thanks to all who came and helped.

Feed the Hungry Ministry at St. Basil

Every two months we have a team of volunteers who purchase and prepare a hot meal for the residents at the Lincoln Park Presbyterian Church housing facility.  Thanks to all our volunteers.  For more information contact Kelly Poletis at kelly.poletis@gmail.com.

Fr. Panteleimon offers Invocation at Cook County Board Meeting

On Tuesday, January 20th, Fr. Panteleimon was invited to offer the invocation at the Cook County Board meeting.  Given the diverse religious make up of the county of Cook, the county works to have a broad representation of religions offering it's invocations.  Father was also joined by his Presvytera Konstantina and parish council member Tom Bezanes.  It was a great honor for our Metropolis of Chicago and, in particular, our parish of St. Basil, to be chosen for this task.

 

St. Basil Fire Repair Update with Photos

Repair work is moving forward quickly at St. Basil.  Below see photos of some of the progress.

Contractors determine layout of marble slabs on solea floor.

New icon screen framing nears completion. 

New front doors have been installed and await finishing.

Super Bash Reminder

A reminder to all that our annual Super Bash event is a week from this Sunday at the Billy Goat on Madison.  If you haven't made your reservations yet, please contact the church at 312-243-3738.

St. Basil Parish Vasilopita

On Sunday, January 11th, all of the leaders of our ministries here at St. Basil gathered at church to receive the annual piece of the Vasilopita.  Fr. Panteleimon blessed and cut the Vasilopita, with the assistance of parish council president Tony Frankos and Philoptochos president Kathy Michas.  May our Lord, through the prayers of our Father among the Saints Basil the Great, grant us a fruitful 2015.

Swearing in of our 2015-2016 Parish Council

On Sunday, January 11th, we swore in the newly elected parish council for the 2015-2016 term.  May God continue to enlighten us to do his work and guide our parish.

Feastday of St. Basil the Great

On January 1st, His Eminence Metropolitan Iakovos joined us for the celebration of the feastday of our parish.  It was a perfect day with a packed house.  THANK YOU to our Parish Council members, Ladies Philoptochos, chanters, choir members, altar servers and everyone who made the feast a beautiful one for our parish.  See photos below.