Welcome!
We welcome you to our Church and are excited to share our beautiful Orthodox faith with you. New faces and children are always welcome at St. Basil Greek Orthodox Church.
Every Sunday we have Divine Liturgy (church service) at 9:30 AM. Divine Liturgy is preceded by Orthros (a morning prayer service) starting at 8:15 AM. After the liturgy, there is a coffee hour where you are welcome to share in some coffee, snacks and fellowship with us.
We look forward to meeting you! Please see the frequently asked questions below for more visitor information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is St. Basil Greek Orthodox Church located?
We are located at 920 W March Lane in Stockton California. Please note that some GPS systems take visitors to the back entrance which is sometimes locked. Please enter through the front gate located on March lane.
Is a Greek Orthodox Church only for Greeks?
Everyone is welcome in a Greek Orthodox Church regardless of age or ethnicity! You will hear some Greek prayers and perhaps have an opportunity to taste some delicious Greek food, but a Greek Orthodox Church is a place of worship for anyone who wishes to see Orthodox Christian worship.
What should I do when I enter the church?
Please tell one of our greeters by the door that you are visiting (they will be wearing a golden “Greeter” badge) and they will be happy to meet you and answer any of your questions. You are not required to venerate icons or light candles (though you are welcome to do so if you’d like). You can sit in any of the pews or on the benches by the walls.
Are the Church services only in Greek?
While many of our prayers are in Greek, the majority of the services are in English and for those prayers which are in Greek, they are also recited in English. English speakers will have no problem understanding our services.
Why are there saint images in the Church? Do you worship them?
Orthodox Christians worship God alone as the one and only true God. The beautiful icons which adorn our Church reveal men and women of God who have lived (and even died) for Him. They inspire us to serve God with our whole heart just like they did. Icons also remind us of the reality of Christ’s incarnation and the lives of His saints showing that our faith is founded on real people and true events.
What is the bread handed out at the end of the service?
At the end of the service, all people (including visitors) are invited to come forward to greet the priest and receive a small piece of bread from him. This is not communion (Eucharist), rather it is blessed bread offered to everyone to greet and welcome them.
Will I offend anybody if wear or do something wrong?
At an Orthodox Church you will see people lighting candles, kissing icons, making the sign of the cross, kneeling, bowing, etc. All of these are personal expressions of our faith and nobody will be offended if you do not do them. You are also free to sit wherever you would like. You will never be asked to do anything that will make you feel uncomfortable. At certain points in the services, the people will stand, sit or kneel. You are welcome to do what you see others doing or remain seated if you are uncomfortable kneeling or standing.
What happens after the Sunday Divine Liturgy service?
We gather in the hall (the building adjacent to the Church) for coffee hour where you are encouraged to join us in having snacks, coffee and fellowship. You are welcome to sit anywhere you would like, but there is a special table for visitors which is marked “welcome”. The people of St. Basil Church are very warm and friendly and will love to meet you and welcome you.
We hope to see you soon! For more information about our Orthodox faith, please see this page.
