ROAD TO THE RELIC: St. Basil Church in Stockton Receives Relic of Patron Saint

A brochure (PDF) regarding the St. Basil relic gifting is also available.

"Beside each believer stands an Angel as protector and shepherd, leading him to life."
Saint Basil the Great

Nearly two years ago, the community of Saint Basil Greek Orthodox Church in Stockton, CA, under the leadership of Father Luke Palumbis, initiated a pilgrimage to locate and request a relic of the patron saint of the parish, Saint Basil the Great. After numerous requests, a relic of Saint Basil was located on the island of Cyprus, in the trust and care of a humble priest-monk who discerned that the relic of Saint Basil should be entrusted to the Metropolis of San Francisco and the parish of Saint Basil.

Saint Basil the Great, Archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia, lived in the 4^th Century, and is one of the greatest Church Fathers. He was a missionary, monk, and established institutions to care for the sick, orphaned, underprivileged, and elderly. Saint Basil was a brilliant theologian, and is known as "The Heaven Revealer" because of the majesty and clarity of his eloquence.

Several special services and events are planned to celebrate the journey of this blessed relic from Cyprus to Stockton, California.  The weekend will culminate with a visit by His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco to Saint Basil Greek Orthodox Church on Sunday, June 14 to preside over the gifting of the Holy Relic of Saint Basil the Great to the parish.

Thursday, June 11
7:00 p.m.
Akathist to Saint Basil the Great

Lecture following Akathist:
"The Life of Saint Basil the Great - Applicable to the 21^st Century
By Dr. James C. Skedros, Th.D. - Holy Cross School of Theology Cantonis Professor of Byzantine Studies and Professor of Early Christianity

Friday, June 12
7:00 p.m.
Byzantine Music Concert
Featuring hymns offered in conjunction with narration, expressing the life of Saint Basil the Great
Led by Father Jon Magoulias - Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, Modesto, CA

Saturday, June 13
11:00 a.m. Lecture
"The Role of Relics in the Christian Church - in association with the Relic of Saint Basil in 21^st Century Stockton, CA"
Presented by Dr. James C. Skedros, Th.D.

6:00 p.m.
Great Vespers

Sunday, June 14
8:00 a.m. Orthros
9:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom
Gifting of the Holy Relic of Saint Basil the Great by His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco

All events will be held at Saint Basil Church, 920 W. March Lane, Stockton, CA.  Free-will offerings will be accepted at each event to benefit the trust funds of the children of the four Oakland Police Department officers who were killed in the line of duty on March 21, 2009

Fr. Palumbis states, "The Saint Basil parish of Stockton, under the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos, is both humbled and honored to be receiving the holy relic of our Patron and Intercessor, and to extend the opportunity for all our brothers and sisters in Christ to be a part of this historic gifting."

For additional information on any of the services and events, please contact St. Basil Greek Orthodox Church, 209-478-7564, or visit the parish website at www.gosaintbasil.org.