PEACE & BLESSINGS
Great Lent Fast: February 16 - April 11
The Departure of Lazarus, the beloved of the Lord (March 26, 2026 / Baramhat 17, 1742)
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.” Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.”
John 11:41-44
SERVICES THIS WEEK
MONDAY:
Preparation for Baptism (Catechism) Class: 8 p.m. (online)
TUESDAY:
Ladies Book Club: 8:30 - 9 p.m. (info below)
WEDNESDAY:
Divine Liturgy: 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
THURSDAY:
College Coptic Club: No meeting due to spring break
SATURDAY:
Hymns Lesson: 6 - 7 p.m.
Vespers: 7 - 8 p.m.
SUNDAY:
Divine Liturgy: 8 - 11 a.m.
Agape Meal: 11 - 11:30 a.m.
Beginning Hymn Lessons: 11:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Sunday School Classes: 12 - 1 p.m.
Adult Class: 12 - 1 p.m.
Ladies Book Club
Tuesdays at 8:30 p.m.
Click Here to join via Zoom
“The Practice of the Presence of God”
Extra copies available to borrow in the St. Basil bookstore
Holy Week 2026!
Mark you calendars with the important dates below. Detailed information, including times and links to resources, is available at stbasil.net/pascha.
April 3: Last Friday of Lent
April 4:
Lazarus Saturday Liturgy
Presentation by the youth including a play and Holy Week Stations
Palm Weaving and live donkey for the kiddos to ride! (120lb. max.)
Vespers of Palm Sunday
April 5: Palm Sunday
April 5-11: Holy Week Pascha Praises
April 7: Feast of the Annunciation
April 9: Covenant Thursday
April 10: Great Friday
April 11: Bright Saturday
April 12: Feast of the Resurrection
April 19: Easter Picnic
Nomination for a Second Priest To Serve at St. Basil’s!
As we announced yesterday after the liturgy, it’s with great joy that we announce that Anthony Zaki is a candidate for the priesthood to serve at St. Basil’s Church!
Anthony, along with his wife Jasmin, has been serving faithfully at St. Basil’s for over a year and are locals to San Diego. They’ve been deeply involved in many services at the church including both youth and adult ministries. They’ve shown dedication, humility, and genuine love for the people of the church, especially our youth.
The congregation is asked to provide feedback in two ways:
If you agree with the nomination, please sign the petition after the liturgy this coming Sunday (if you haven’t already) recommending Anthony to His Eminence Metropolitan Serapion for his approval. If you did not come last Sunday, and will not be there this coming Sunday, reach out to Fr. Michael and he can provide you a link to an online petition.
If you have concerns, please reach out to Fr. Michael Maximous or to His Eminence Metropolitan Serapion directly.
Please approach this moment with prayer, discernment, and a spirit of unity and love.
Also, please keep Anthony and Jasmin in your prayers during this time and be sensitive to the great sacrifice they are willing to make for Christ and His Church.
May our Ever-Victorious Lord Jesus Christ guide them and guide His Church according to His perfect will and to the glory of His Name!
Congratulations!
Congratulations to Nikita (Paul)! May God bless you on your journey with Christ and may His Holy Spirit guide and sanctify you!
AGAPE MEAL AFTER THE LITURGY
Hello St. Basil family! After every Divine Liturgy, our agape meal means more than food — it is fellowship, healing, and a living expression of our unity in Christ. “They continued steadfastly… in the breaking of bread and in prayers” (Acts 2:42) reminds us that from the earliest days of the church, believers gathered after worship to share life together. This simple meal becomes a lifeline for newcomers trying to find their place, for those who feel alone and long for community, and for every soul who needs to experience the love of Christ in practical, tangible ways. The volunteers who serve in this ministry quietly carry a sacred responsibility: They help people feel seen, included, and loved. This is why hospitality is an amazing virtue! Hebrews 13:2 says “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.”
We are deeply grateful to the few who continue to offer their time, energy, and generosity despite the challenges. Your service is a fragrance of Christ among us! At the same time, we warmly invite others to join this beautiful ministry to lighten the burden on the few. Preparing or serving food may seem small, but in God’s eyes it is an act of love that strengthens the bonds of our parish family and proclaims, without words, that we are “one body in Christ, and individually members of one another” (Romans 12:5). If you feel called to help build St. Basil’s community so no one stands alone, please consider joining this blessed service. Your hands can become instruments of fellowship, hospitality, and grace.
You can help in the following ways:
Sign up to bring food (Please refrain from excessive sweets).
Sign up for the coffee cart: set up and clean up the coffee cart on Sunday morning.
Hall clean-up following the agape meal.
Please CLICK HERE to sign up.
God bless your efforts!
Charitable Campaign
One of our youth asked this be posted in the newsletter. They are trying to raise money for a charitable cause in her college club. Please note charity and its campaign is not affiliated with the St. Basil’s or Coptic Orthodox Church. God bless.
PREPARATION FOR BAPTISM (CATECHISM) CLASSES
Join us on ONLINE Monday nights at 8:00 p.m. for baptism preparation classes. Visit www.stbasil.net/baptism for more information. These classes are open for:
Anyone interested in becoming members of the Coptic Orthodox Church.
Those recently baptized (within the last few years).
Simply anyone seeking to better understand the basics of the Christian faith and history.
Together, we will review the importance of baptism and its impact, the Sacraments, the inspiring church history, the Orthodox Creed, the Holy Bible, Orthodox prayer and spiritual life, and Church traditions. Reading material will be provided for those who wish to attend. To register for this class, please contact Fr. Michael at 949-378-0350 or frmichael@stbasil.net.
DIOCESE EVENTS
Interested in participating in missionary trips abroad? Join one the many happening soon! Click here to find out more!
Social Media
LinkedIn: As a reminder, the Professionals LinkedIn group is an easy way to connect and network with fellow members of our community.
YouTube: Subscribe to St. Basil’s YouTube channel to view live streams, Bible studies, and more!
More to come on Instagram, Facebook, and more! If you want to get involved, and have some skills in social media, let Fr. Michael know!
FAMILY HOME VISITS
Father Michael is offering home visits for anyone who is interested. It’s a wonderful practice to have a priest visit your home at least once a year. Please reach out to him directly to schedule a visit!
Phone: 949-378-0350
Email: FrMichael@stbasil.net
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Please let us know if you have any upcoming important events for us to share with our fellow congregants. Special events are best shared among our family, and we encourage you to share your special news with us.