November / December 2025 News & Updates
Χριστός γεννάται, δοξάσατε!
Merry Christmas, dear friends of Saint Basil! We hope that you all enjoyed a blessed Nativity surrounded by loved ones. It has been an amazing Christmas season for all of us at Saint Basil with festivity, incredible generosity, and a true outpouring of love. We are so, so grateful for all of it.
On December 13th, we celebrated Christmas with over 200 guests including His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, New York State Senator Rob Rolison, representatives from the national boards of both the Ladies Philoptochos Society and the Daughters of Penelope, numerous Philotochos chapters, AHEPA Districts, clergy, church parishes, philanthropic organizations, Pan-Gregorian, and more. The children presented a spectacular shadow-box play of the Nativity; the Saint Basil choir sang beautiful Christmas carols for all to join, and His Eminence offered powerful words of encouragement and support for the work of Saint Basil Academy. After the pageant and fasting luncheon, the children opened enormous bags of gifts from our extremely generous donors presented lovingly by His Eminence. It was truly a day to remember!
The week before the Christmas pageant, children, families, staff, and friends of Saint Basil gathered for our annual gingerbread house decoration event. Everyone had a blast coating the houses with way too much frosting and candy, and the day was made complete with a visit from Saint Nicholas! It was a busy December indeed.
November was also a full month on campus starting with a visit from Father Peter Spiro, Director of the GOA’s FREEDOM Ministry for Human Trafficking Awareness and the ARISTEVI Foundation helping trafficked survivors excel. Father Peter gave an amazing talk, presentation, and Q&A. We all learned so much from him and his inspiring work.
Later in the month, we celebrated our Saint Basil Family Thanksgiving followed by our annual lantern walk across campus. The meal was amazing and the company even better. We are constantly reminded that we have so very, very much to be thankful for.
Looking ahead to 2026, we are happy to announce that we will be holding another Lenten GOYA Retreat on Saturday, March 21, 2026! Last year’s was phenomenal, and we can’t wait for this one. All GOYA groups (and GOYA-aged children not in a group) are welcome, so please save the date!
Wishing you all the very best for the New Year and a 2026 full of love and blessings. Καλή Χρονιά dear friends! We hope to see you soon!
With love,
The Saint Basil Academy Family
Support Our Work
As a non-profit 501(c)(3) entity, Saint Basil Academy depends upon the financial support of its beloved friends and donors. Our supporters contribute in many different ways, from monetary and material donations to naming Saint Basil as a beneficiary in life insurance and estate planning. Saint Basil Academy also has several earmarked funds in place for therapeutic art classes and outdoor excursions. Sponsoring a resident, becoming a host family, and/or referring a child to Saint Basil Academy are other vital ways of providing support as well. When you give to Saint Basil Academy, you are helping a child in need in a powerful way.
© Saint Basil Academy
© Saint Basil Academy