Basil the Great Orthodox Church is a growing parish of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR). Louis, Missouri, in 1983, just east of River Des Peres and west of Jamieson Ave (between the St. Louis Hills and Ellendale neighborhoods). It was founded by several local Orthodox Christians seeking a more traditional observance. Within ten years, the building was significantly expanded fr
om the original, and thirty-three years later the parish built and relocated to a much larger, and more traditional building opposite in prominence from its original, at Interstate 270 and Dougherty Ferry (205 Highland Avenue, Des Peres). Its diverse parishioners consist mostly of American converts, but it boasts a sizable Russian contingent. The Divine Services (celebrated according to the Russian liturgical tradition) are in English with some Church Slavonic. Archpriest Martin Swanson, an American convert and former provost and dean of health sciences at St. Louis University, founded the parish in 1985 and served as its rector until October of 2020. He reposed in the Lord in September of 2022. Current rector Archpriest Sergii Alekseev was assigned to the parish in 2014, which with his vast knowledge and experience shepherding English-speaking parishes is a great blessing to all, including Slavic parishioners. Basil's also has as a priest, Fr. Thomas Nichols, an American convert, serving the parish, as well as Protopresbyter-Stavrophor Radomir Chkautovich, former long-time rector of Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church in St. All are warmly encouraged to visit and enquire openly. Basil the Great is committed to a traditional parochial culture and celebration of Divine Services, under the omophor of the Diocese of Chicago & Mid-America under the canonical jurisdiction of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR) -- in full union with the age-old Patriarchate of Moscow. The parish year also includes several lectures, film series, close studies of orthodox texts and topics, a church school for ages 5 - 18, bi-annual picnics, a prominent Russian Festival with fine, traditional cuisine, beverages, music and traditional arts. Weekly “trapeza” meals and fellowship follow the 10 a.m. Divine Liturgy on Sunday. Frequent confession is the norm. To visit, and especially if you plan to approach the Chalice, please contact the rector via the number or email here listed.
