St. Basil of Ostrog Serbian Church

St Basil of Ostrog Serbian Orthodox Church

St. Basil Of Ostrog Serbian Orthodox Church
Important Updates on COVID-19

March 21, 2020

Dear Faithful of Saint Basil of Ostrog Church:

“As a result of the state’s Shelter-in-Place order, it has been decided, in the interest of functioning on the side of caution, to suspend all services to the public starting immediately. Father Djuro will still perform the services, as reported earlier, and they will all be streamed live on Facebook.”

We want to assure each of you who come to St. Basil Church seeking the Lord’s grace that your health is of the utmost importance and is a top priority. In light of the ongoing developments with COVID-19 (Coronavirus), we understand the need to stay home and shelter in. As a result, the Sunday Divine Liturgy and the Wednesday and Friday Pre-Sanctified liturgies during Great Lent will be available on our Facebook site (https://www.facebook.com/StBasilOfOstrog/) and the church website(https://stbasilchurch.org). Lists with the names of those you would like to be mentioned in the prayers of the holy proposal, both for health and for rest of souls. (Fr. Djuro/847-477-1531 or frkrosnjar@gmail.com). Know and be comforted that you are all in our prayers.

In addition, we are taking the following steps immediately in order to maintain as healthy an environment as possible and to help slow the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus):

DIVINE LITURGY / PRE-SANCTIFIED LITURGY
All services will be available to you via Facebook Live. We will continue to liturgy, mentioning for health and salvation all of you and your homes, at the same time begging the Lord to end this plague that has come to us, so that we can return to regular services and normal functioning of our parish as soon as possible. Divine Liturgy on Sundays will continue as scheduled at 10 AM. Pre-Sanctified Liturgy on Wednesdays at 10AM and Fridays at 6PM will continue as scheduled. All services will be streamed on Facebook Live.

SAFE HEALTH PRACTICES
Follow the updated “Shelter-in-Place” guidelines established by the State of Illinois. There is reliable research that makes this recommendation viable and necessary. Social distancing works.

Wash your hands frequently and refrain from hugging, kissing, handshaking and other close contacts with people. This helps slow, lessen, and contain the spread of the virus. Social distancing works.

St. Basil Church will utilize Facebook (under the name of Saint Basil of Ostrog Serbian Orthodox Church), the Church website (https://stbasilchurch.org), and the weekly Church email to update all of our faithful regarding the impact during these extraordinary times.

We appreciate your understanding, your concern, and your patience as we try to make the best decisions for the faithful of Saint Basil of Ostrog Church, with our truest faith in God and Orthodoxy, and prayers for our continued health, safety, and well-being.

Calmly accept the newly created situation, with confidence and awareness that you are still encompassed by liturgical prayers. We ask everyone to increase their regular prayers in your Home Churches in front of your family icons and/or at your icon corner. Please keep us in your prayers, along with your families and loved ones. Keep your home candilos safely glowing as a constant reminder of God’s light and love at all times.

God Bless!

Yours in Christ,

Rev. Djuro Krosnjar, Parish Priest
Michael Kosanovich, Trusteeship President
Elena Potkonja-Clymer, KSS President

Summer Camp

There are two summer camp opportunities for children.

St. Sava Camp and Camp Gracanica

Each year the camps are held during the mid-summer months. Both programs have Sunday afternoon registration and campers get picked up by families Saturday morning to return home. Both programs have the Orthodox faith as the central theme and activity. Students attend church services every morning and evening where they sing the responses. Students attend classes such as religion, singing cultural and religious songs and hymns. They also have craft and sports activities. Campers go to local water parks and Great America Theme Park located near the camp.

Mothers and kolo members oversee the kitchen and housekeeping responsibilities. They provide excellent conditions and meals for campers. The director of both programs is Father Tom Kazich. Each year, Fr. Tom develops a camp theme and religious lessons. All children for each week of camp, experience that theme and program.

Currently, both camps are housed at the Most Holy Mother of God Monastery in Third Lake, IL. Each year former campers have the opportunity to return as counselors and head counselors. Camp is where life-long friends are made and nurtured.

An annual spring luncheon or fundraising helps to support the camp programs. Forms are available in spring in all churches. The forms must be signed by the local parish priest. Both camps have fees and registration deadlines. Each accepts a certain number of campers. Registration materials explain the programs and let campers know what to pack and what the expectations are to be a camper in a monastery environment.
Camp programs are a result of the love of the program and for children. Everyone is encouraged to have these summer camp experiences. They create life-long friendships and memories.

http://stsavacamp.hrsoc.org/Site_2/Welcome.html
http://campgracanica.com

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