Saint Basil the Great Ukrainian Catholic Church, Chesapeake City Maryland celebrates its 100th Anniversary 

The 100- year anniversary of the founding of this parish was originally scheduled for October 2020, however, the trials of the pandemic pushed it to this year. The centennial celebration was a moment of memory, prayerful reflection, and great gratitude for our Lord’s gifts and the faith of many generations. A dinner reception followed the liturgy with more than 100 special guests and clergy.

The history of this parish is proof of the generosity and the sacrifice of the Ukrainians in the Maryland, Chesapeake City area who settled here at the beginning of the 20th century. Two men from St. Basil’s entered the priesthood: The late Reverend Stephen Hotra and Bishop Emeritus Basil Losten who this year celebrated the 50th anniversary of his episcopal ordination. Two women from the parish entered the religious order of the Sisters of St. Basil: Anne Arkatin became Very Reverend Sister M. Bernarda and Sophia Arkatin became Very Reverend Sister M. Tharsilla. 

The parishioners acknowledged and devoted the 100-year Centennial Anniversary to the founding parishioners and families who struggled in creating the church and parish; the dedicated priests and administrators who served over the 100-years and most importantly, to current pastor Reverend Volodymyr Klanichka, whose leadership and determination helped in the success of the celebration. An expression of thanks to the previous and current parishioners, many being descendants of the original families, who remain dedicated to carrying on Ukrainian traditions and beliefs of St. Basil the Great. The parishioners look forward to future efforts of keeping the parish flourishing well into the 21st Century and to welcome new parishioners!

Eugenia (Genya) Dell’Orefice

A beautiful, bright Sunday afternoon, October 24, 2021 provided the setting for the one hundred first and belated one hundredth anniversary celebration of the foundation of St. Basil the Great Ukrainian Catholic Church, Chesapeake City, Maryland. St. Basil’s unique heritage extends back to its origins in the land grants made by the late Archbishop Soter Stephen Ortynsky, O.S.B.M. from which the Wasylczuk family donated the lot on which the current and original church still stands. The congregation of the parish is chiefly composed of the ancestors of the pioneering Ukrainian families who settled in Chesapeake City in response to the generous invitation of Archbishop Ortynsky’s gift to them.

     Most Rev. Andriy Rabiy, auxiliary bishop of the Archeparchy of Philadelphia was the principal celebrant and homilist. Assisting him was Most. Rev. Basil H. Losten, D.D,  Bishop-emeritus of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Stamford, Connecticut, Rev. Volodymyr Klanichka, pastor of St. Basil’s Church, and Rev. William R. Gore, O.S.F.S., former pastor (1993-1998) of St. Basil’s Church and. Bishop Losten was recognized as a native son and vocation of St. Basil’s parish, a determined and active advocate and exponent for the sustenance and rights of the Ukrainian Catholic Church who has celebrated his fiftieth year of being consecrated a bishop.

 Following the conclusion of the Divine LIturgy, the congregation and guests attended a centennial banquet at Shaeffer’s Canal House in North Chesapeake City where they were regaled not only with fine food but also an amazing DVD compilation of old 8mm movie footage showing various events in the life of St. Basil’s parish during its heydays of the 1940’s, 1950’s and 1960’s. It is the earnest hope and prayer that the effort contributed to this event will take root in fostering the renewal, restoration and growth of St. Basil’s Ukrainian Catholic Church to the greater honor and glory of God and the salvation of many immortal souls.

Eric Jester