Weekly Update - May 11, 2026

CHRIST IS RISEN!

INDEED, HE IS RISEN!

 
 

QUOTES FROM ST. ATHANASIUS

  • And I against the world!

  • Be of good heart! It is only a cloud, and will soon pass away!

  • All the disciples of Christ despise death, they take the offensive against it and, instead of fearing it, by the sign of the cross and by faith in Christ trample on it as on something dead.

  • The renewal of creation has been accomplished by the Self-same Word who made it in the beginning.

  • For the truth is not preached with swords or with darts, nor by means of soldiers; but by persuasion and counsel.

  • One cannot possibly understand the teaching of the saints unless one has a pure mind and is trying to imitate their life... , anyone who wishes to understand the mind of the sacred writers must first cleanse his own life, and approach the saints by copying their deeds

  • Let us look at the very tradition, teaching, and faith of the Universal Church from the beginning, which the Lord gave, the Apostles preached, and the Fathers kept.
    Upon this the Church is founded...

St. Athanasius the Apostolic

 
 

SERVICES THIS WEEK

MONDAY:

  • Preparation for Baptism (Catechism) Class: 8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. (online)

TUESDAY:

  • Midnight Praise Hymns: 7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

WEDNESDAY:

  • Divine Liturgy: 8:00 a.m - 10:00 a.m.

THURSDAY:

  • College Graduation Party (No meeting) - See Flyer Below

FRIDAY:

  • Divine Liturgy - Commemoration of St. Athanasius: 8:00 a.m - 10:00 a.m.

SATURDAY:

  • Hymns Lesson: 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.

  • Vespers: 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.

SUNDAY:

  • Divine Liturgy: 8:00 a.m - 11:00 a.m.

  • Agape Meal: 11:00 - 11:30 a.m.

  • Beginning Hymn Lessons: 11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

  • Sunday School Classes: 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.

 
 

Congratulations Caleb and Marissa!

On May 9th, Caleb and Marissa were joined in Holy Matrimony according to the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Rites!

God bless your new family’s journey with Christ together!

Below is a beautiful hymn that was sung during the ceremony. What is especially beautiful is that although it is used in the marriage rite, the hymn is not primarily about the earthly bride and groom. It was sung as a condensed history of salvation told through the voice of the Church (with each of its members) as the Bride of Christ.

 
 

College Graduation Party!

Join us as we celebrate our Class of 2026 graduates with our annual Great Gatsby themed graduation celebration!

  • Where: SAID Residence ~ 7834 Esterel Dr., La Jolla, CA

  • When: May 14th, 2026 at 6:00 p.m.

  • Dress Code: Great Gatsby Glam ~ classy, elegant, formal attire!

 
 

Ordination of our Second Priest!

Mark your Calendars!

God willing, with the blessing of our Metropolitan and Auxiliary Bishops, Anthony Zaki will be ordained as a:

  1. Deacon on Saturday, June 20th

  2. Priest on Sunday, June 21st

  3. Rite of Reception, August 1st

Both events will be at St. Basil’s Church! Please continue to pray for Anthony and Jasmin and for the Church!

Deacon Ordinations - Saturday, June 20th

For Anthony’s deacon ordination on June 20th, His Eminence Metropolitan Serapion, along with Bishop Abraham and Bishop Kyrillos will be present.

If you have a son whom you with to receive the honor and blessing of being ordained a chanter-deacon in the church. Typically, he will be at least 6 or 7 years old so he can stand by himself in a focused manner. If interested, please observe the following:

  1. Parents are committed to bringing the child to church every Sunday and on time.

  2. Provide the name of the child to Fr. Michael Maximous (949-378-0350).

  3. At a minimum, the child should know the following four hymns. Click Here to practice them in English. If they know them in Coptic, that would be great too!

    • Alleluia This Is The Day

    • Amen Amen Amen Your Death O Lord

    • May Their Holy Blessings

    • As It Was

  • Come to vespers on 06/13/2026 to be tested after Vespers

If you have a daughter that wishes to be blessed as a deaconess, please observe the above and bring the child prior to the end of matins on 06/20/2026 (prior to 9:00 AM).

 
 

Help Support Rescued Children!

We are preparing support packages for rescued children who were victims of being trafficked. If you’d like to get involved, see the flyer below!

 
 

Summer Camp Begins First Week of June!

Our very popular Summer Camp will begin the first week of June!

  • Tuesday and Thursday Evenings (starting June 2nd)

  • 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

There will be games, crafts, fun, fellowship and educational activities! For more information, contact Sally Phillip!

 
 

Want to get Involved?

Many have asked how they can volunteer to help in the many services St. Basil’s offers! CLICK HERE to browse through the services and check the ones you wish to get involved in! For example, we are actively looking for:

  • Prepare (bake) Urbon (holy bread) for Holy Liturgies

  • Social Media

  • Visitor Welcoming Committee

 
 

NEW CHURCH BUILDING CAMPAIGN

As many of you have noticed, our church family has been growing steadily over the past several years. This is a great blessing from God, and we thank Him for it. That growth comes with a demand for increased pastoral need and larger facilities.

Larger Building! The board gave a strategy presentation on February 22, 2026, on finding a new and larger home for St. Basil’s Church. If you missed it, reach out to one of the board members or Fr. Michael. CLICK HERE to discover ways you can help in this worthwhile venture that will positively impact our community for generations to come! If you did not receive it, contact Fr. Michael at 949-378-0350! God bless your efforts!

And the leaders of the fathers’ houses offered willingly. They gave for the work of the house of God… according to their ability. ~ Ezra 2:68–69

 
 

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:

  1. Sign up to bring food (Please refrain from excessive sweets).

  2. Sign up for the coffee cart: set up and clean up the coffee cart on Sunday morning.

  3. Hall clean-up following the agape meal.

Please CLICK HERE to sign up.

God bless your efforts!

 
 

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

 
 

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.