About Saint Basil Melkite Catholic Church · Utica, New York
St. Basil the Great Melkite Greek Catholic Church is an Eastern Catholic parish in Utica, New York, belonging to the Melkite Greek Catholic Eparchy of Newton (within the Roman Diocese of Syracuse's territory). The parish was founded in the early 1900s by Syrian (Aleppian) immigrants from Aleppo who wanted a Byzantine-rite church of their own. Today it serves as a Byzantine-style spiritual home offering the Divine Liturgy on Saturdays and Sundays, the seven Holy Mysteries (sacraments), and a wide range of parish organizations. It is currently administered by Very Rev. James Koury, M.T.S. ('Fr. Jim'), appointed by Bishop François Beyrouti in 2023, under Eparchial Bishop Most Rev. François Beyrouti.
- Established
- 1917
- Patron
- St. Basil the Great (named because the parish's first pastor, Father Beshara Kayata, was a Basilian Monk)
- Rector
- Very Rev. James Koury, M.T.S. (Fr. Jim), Administrator
- Diocese
- Melkite Greek Catholic Eparchy of Newton (within the territory of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse)
Why belong here
St. Basil the Great offers the rare opportunity in Central New York to worship in the Byzantine liturgical tradition of the Eastern Catholic Church while remaining in full communion with the Pope. The parish maintains a faithful schedule of Divine Liturgy on Saturdays at 4:30 p.m. and Sundays at 11:00 a.m., celebrates all seven Holy Mysteries (sacraments), and is supported by active organizations including a Parish Advisory Council, Women's Club, St. Therese Society, parish choir, bingo team and more. Off-street parking is plentiful off Sherman Drive or Armory Drive, and the pastor personally ministers to the sick at home or in the hospital.
Mass times at Saint Basil Melkite Catholic Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Before or after any service
- Any time by appointment
Parish History
St. Basil the Great was born from the dreams of early 1900s Aleppian immigrants in Utica. John Abboud Saman and his fellow newcomers from Aleppo, Syria began meeting in 1902 to plan their own church; by 1913 they had raised $700 and six community leaders were organized as 'pillars' to lead the project. Father Beshara Kayata celebrated the first liturgy on December 21, 1917, and the parish grew steadily — paying off its first church and rectory by 1930. Under the 64-year pastorate of Archimandrite Julien Elaine (1947–2011), the parish moved to its current Sherman Drive site, built and dedicated the present church in 1955, and burned the mortgage in 1960. After Fr. Elaine's death in 2011, Father John Ghaby shepherded the parish until Fr. Saba Shofany was appointed pastor on January 3, 2013. Fr. Saba was followed in 2023 by the present Administrator, Very Rev. James Koury.
- 1902 — Aleppians begin planning a Melkite church in Utica
- 1913 — Father Cyril Totongy visits; the six pillars organize fundraising
- 1914 — Father Beshara Kayata arrives; first trustees chosen
- 1917 — First liturgy celebrated December 21
- 1923 — Rectory purchased at 531 Lansing Street
- 1930 — Church and rectory debt-free
- 1947 — Father Julien Elaine becomes pastor
- 1953 — Cornerstone laid by Auxiliary Bishop David F. Cunningham
- 1955 — Church dedicated by Bishop Walter A. Foery; Pontifical Liturgy by Archbishop Peter Chami of Hauran
- 1960 — Mortgage burned
- 1961 — Rectory dedicated
- 1980 — Bronze Iconostasis with mosaic panels installed
- 2011 — Death of Archimandrite Julien Elaine
- 2013 — Fr. Saba Shofany appointed pastor (Jan 3)
- 2023 — Very Rev. James Koury appointed Administrator (May 12)
Parish Leadership
The parish is led by an Administrator appointed by the Eparchial Bishop and supported by a Parish Advisory Council, Parish Financial Committee, and Parish Trustees.
- Most Rev. François Beyrouti — Bishop of the Eparchy of Newton (appointed by Pope Francis Aug 20, 2022; consecrated Oct 12, 2022; installed Oct 19, 2022)
- Very Rev. James Koury, M.T.S. (Fr. Jim) — Administrator of St. Basil the Great (appointed March 2023, effective May 12, 2023)
- Most Rev. Nicholas J. Samra — Bishop Emeritus of Newton (ordained priest 1970; Eparchial Bishop from 2011 until retirement accepted 2022)
Our Bishop — Eparchy of Newton
St. Basil the Great is part of the Eparchy of Newton within the Melkite Greek Catholic Church. Pope Francis appointed Most Rev. François Beyrouti as the eparchial bishop on August 20, 2022; he was consecrated October 12, 2022 and installed October 19, 2022 as the 6th Eparchial Bishop of Newton. Bishop Emeritus Most Rev. Nicholas J. Samra, born August 15, 1944 in Paterson, NJ, served as Auxiliary Bishop from 1989 and as Eparchial Bishop from 2011; he also served as Apostolic Administrator of the Melkite Eparchy of Nuestra Señora del Paraíso in Mexico from 2015. His request for retirement was accepted by Pope Francis in 2022.
Worship — Divine Liturgy & Schedule
The Divine Liturgy is the highest point of Melkite liturgical services. In it the Eucharist is celebrated; Christ is made present among the faithful in the breaking of bread; Christ is both the one who offers and the one offered; and through the prayers and rituals, the community participates in Christ's sacrifice on the Cross and all of salvation history. Other services that lead more deeply into the Eucharist include Great Vespers (evening prayer) and Orthros (morning prayer).
- Saturday Vigil Divine Liturgy — 4:30 PM
- Sunday Divine Liturgy — 11:00 AM
- Great Vespers (evening prayer)
- Orthros (morning prayer)
Holy Mysteries (Sacraments)
In the Byzantine tradition the seven sacraments are called the 'Holy Mysteries.' The parish faithfully celebrates all of them and asks parishioners to contact the pastor to arrange preparation.
- Holy Mystery of Confession — before or after any service, or any time by appointment
- Holy Mystery of Christian Illumination (Baptism) — contact the pastor in advance for baptismal preparation and formation
- Holy Mystery of Crowning (Marriage) — contact the pastor at least six months before the proposed wedding date
- Holy Mystery of the Anointing of the Sick — contact the pastor any time needed; the pastor will provide or arrange for another priest
- Holy Communion for the Sick — brought to the home or local hospital upon request
- Funerals and Memorial Services — contact the pastor to plan a proper burial
Parish Organizations & Ministries
The parish has long been sustained by a strong fabric of lay organizations and devotional societies, many of which trace their roots back to the mid-twentieth century and reflect both the spiritual and cultural heritage of the Aleppian founders.
- Parish Advisory Council
- Women's Club
- St. Therese Society
- St. Basil's Church Choir (Saturday and Sunday choirs)
- Bingo Team
- Building Fund Committee
- St. Basil's Church Theatrical Team
- The Holy Name Society
- Aleppo Syrian Brotherhood of America
- Altar Servers
- Epistle Readers
- Ushers
- Parish Financial Committee
- Parish Trustees
- Church Organist
- Parish Secretary
Vocations Born from the Parish
St. Basil's has been blessed with members who discerned religious and clerical vocations, serving both the Melkite Catholic Church in the United States and broader religious life.
- Rt. Rev. Archimandrite Edward Kakaty — ordained for the Melkite Catholic Church
- Rev. Fr. Richard Rasi — ordained for the Melkite Catholic Church
- Rev. Deacon Daniel Klockowski — ordained for the Melkite Catholic Church
- Mary Tahan — joined the Sisters of Charity as Sister Rita
- Florence Zaloom — joined the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet
Contact & Visit
The parish welcomes visitors and offers a contact form on its website for general inquiries, as well as the parish phone for sacramental needs. The church is conveniently located with ample off-street parking.
- Address: 901 Sherman Drive, Utica, NY 13501-5304
- Phone: (315) 732-4662
- Website: stbasilutica.org
- Facebook: facebook.com/stbasilutica
- Parking: off-street lot accessible from Sherman Drive or Armory Drive
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rt. Rev. Archimandrite Beshara Kayata1913–1933
First pastor; a Basilian Melkite from Damascus. Celebrated the first liturgy at the new church on December 21, 1917 with Msgr. Daniel Doody. The parish was named St. Basil the Great because he was a Basilian Monk.
- Rt. Rev. Archimandrite Benedectus Abdennour, D.D., Ph.D.1933–1947
Second pastor.
- Rt. Rev. Archimandrite Julien Elaine1947–2011
Longest-serving pastor (64 years). Acquired the Sherman Drive site; oversaw the building, dedication (1955), and mortgage burning (1960) of the present church and the 1961 rectory. Died February 8, 2011.
- Rev. Fr. John Ghaby2011–2012 (approx.)
Temporary pastor during the two-year vacancy after Fr. Elaine's death.
- Rev. Fr. Saba Shofany2013–2021 (approx.)
Appointed by Bishop Nicholas Samra on January 3, 2013; the parish's first married priest. Led renovations and parish revival; trained iconographer.
- Very Rev. James Koury, M.T.S. (Fr. Jim)2023–present
Appointed Administrator by Bishop François Beyrouti in March 2023, effective May 12, 2023. Previously Priest-Secretary to Bishop Samra at the Eparchial Chancery.