PEACE & BLESSINGS
Apostles Fast: June 1, 2026 - July 12, 2026
The Departure of Elisha the Prophet (June 27, 2026 / Paona 20, 1742)
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“Therefore he sent horses and chariots and a great army there, and they came by night and surrounded the city. And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, ‘Alas, my master! What shall we do?’
So he answered, ‘Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.’ And Elisha prayed, and said, ‘Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.’ Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. So when the Syrians came down to him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, and said, ‘Strike this people, I pray, with blindness.’ And He struck them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.”
2 Kings 6:14-18
SERVICES THIS WEEK
MONDAY:
Preparation for Baptism (Catechism) Class: 8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. (online)
WEDNESDAY
Divine Liturgy: 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
SATURDAY:
Hymns Lesson: No Classes this week
Vespers: 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m
SUNDAY:
Divine Liturgy: 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Agape Meal: 11:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Beginning Hymns Lesson: 11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Sunday School Classes: 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Ordination of Fr. Anthony Zaki!
Father Anthony Zaki was ordained as a priest on June 21, 2026 to serve at St. Basil’s Church with Fr. Michael! Now he embarks on a 40-day journey of liturgical education, spiritual reflection, prayer, and fasting at St. Paul Coptic Orthodox Monastery. Please pray for Fr. Anthony and his wife Jasmin. Father Anthony’s rite of reception will be Saturday, August 1 during vespers. More information to follow.
A HUGE thank you to the St. Basil servants who spent weeks preparing to make this event top notch and special! CLICK HERE to view photos from this weekend!
Summer Camp Is Back!
Our very popular summer camp is back! There will be games, crafts, fun, fellowship, and educational activities! For more information, please contact Sally Phillip.
June 2 - July 18 on Tuesdays & Thursdays
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Pre-K through high school
Youth Diocese Summer Retreats!
CLICK HERE to register your child!
Summer Iconography Course!
Learn to make your own icon! A professional iconographer will lead us in a four-week course:
Fridays: 6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Four Classes: July 10 - July 31
Minimum Age: 12
Cost: $250 for 16 hours of instruction
Limit: 10 painters per series
St. Basil’s Annual Fishing Trip
Date: Saturday, August 15, 2026
Cost: $150/person (includes gear and bait)
Time: 7:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (arrive at 6:00 a.m.)
Location: Oceanside Sea Center
315 S Harbor Dr., Oceanside, CA 92054 (Chubasco II Boat)
Additional Cost:
Ca. Fishing License (16 and older): $21 each
https://wildlife.ca.gov/Licensing/Online-Sales
On board galley food & tip
Filleting any fish caught
If you’d like to attend, but the cost is prohibiting you, please see Fr. Michael!
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 Manager
Visitor Welcoming Committee
Summer Camp Support
Agape Meal
Contact Fr. Michael if interested!
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:
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!
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
Click on image for more information!
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.