Celebrating the Past - Envisioning the Future

I started coming to St. Basil soon after it opened when I was five years old. My earliest memories are of walking into the original narthex (where the secretary’s desk stands today), lighting a candle, and going straight to Sunday School. I liked my Sunday School teachers and I fondly remember coloring our weekly pages while learning about that Sunday’s Gospel reading. Afterward, we would go into church in time for communion and to hear the sermon at the end of liturgy. Fr. John Bakus had a booming and engaging voice. Even though I was too young to fully grasp his message each week, I always enjoyed listening to him speak.

How did your friendships with other kids at church differ from your friendships at school?

They differed a great deal, and I felt it most between the ages of 11 and 15. Those were difficult years for me. I struggled academically, faced bullying at school, and grieved the loss of multiple loved ones. Church became the one place I could go and truly lay aside all worldly cares. The kids at church provided a safe space for me. I never had to worry about being bullied or left out when I was with my church friends. I never had to pretend to be a certain way just to fit in. That safety meant the world to me. As we grew older and got our driver’s licenses, we used to go out for lunch together or hang out at the mall after church. I treasure the memories I have with the kids I grew up with at St. Basil. Though they have all since moved away or left the parish, leaving me as the last remaining parishioner who grew up at St. Basil since the very early days, those bonds shaped who I am.

What role did the church play in your day-to-day life growing up?

Growing up, the church was my home base. No matter what school I attended or what activities filled my week, there was always church on Sundays. Beyond that, for a time, there was youth choir rehearsal on Friday afternoons led by Fr. Dean, as well as Greek school and Greek dance classes during the week. Even when I wasn’t at church, I had my Orthodox prayer book at home, and the stories and lessons I learned on Sundays stayed with me throughout the week.

What are some of your favorite childhood memories connected to St. Basil?

I loved singing in the youth choir when I was about ten years old. Fr. Dean taught us songs he wrote himself, which led to incredible opportunities, such as performing on a local TV station and visiting a recording studio to make a tape for the Department of Religious Education. I also have fond memories of rehearsing for the annual Christmas pageant and missing school to attend the Good Friday retreats each year. Of course, the annual St. Basil Greek festival was also a highlight I looked forward to. As soon as we were old enough, Fr. Dean would put us kids to work helping at the game or snow-cone booths. Everyone pitched in to make the event a success every year. Those are some of my favorite childhood memories.

Looking back, how do you think growing up in this community shaped who you are today?

St. Basil has been a constant in my life for 40 years. The lessons I've learned, not only from sermons and Sunday School but also from the wonderful people and experiences I’ve encountered over the years, have had a huge impact on my life. Participating in events and activities, being part of a community that feels like family, and keeping Christ at the center of it all have truly shaped who I am today. St. Basil is where I met my husband and where my children were baptized. I leaned heavily on the St. Basil community during the most devastating time in my life when I lost my son. Watching my daughter grow up in the same church that shaped my life has been a full-circle moment for me, and I pray that my family continues to be a part of St. Basil for generations to come.