The Orthodox Herald

October 2002 Issue

EULOGY FOR FATHER BASIL STROYEN

"A Priest For All Seasons"

Nearly six decades ago, a young man heard the same call of Our Lord that St. Peter heard following the Resurrection: "Do you love Me?... Then feed My sheep." (John 20:17). He felt the love of the Lord, he answered His call; he studied at and graduated from the Seminary, was ordained to the Diaconate and the Priesthood, and began his service to the People of God feeding them the Word of God and the Bread of Life. That career of service of more than half-a-century was a distinguished one. It ended this past Wednesday, when the Lord called Father Basil Stroyen from his labors and this life.

How do you measure the stature of a priest? By the stripes of his service. The Scripture tells us that the High Priest, Our Lord God and Saviour Jesus Christ said, "The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many."
(Mark 10:45) Can it be any different for those who serve Him and His holy altar?

As he approached the Priesthood and throughout his career, no challenge obstructed Fr. Basil. It is as if he heard the words of St. Gregory the Theologian across the centuries and made them his mantra: "Do not fear that the burden of the priesthood is above your strength. Supposing that you were alone to bear the load, it still would not be too heavy but quite bearable. But it is the Lord Himself Who carries it together with you, for, just as the Psalmist tells us, 'Cast your burden unto the Lord, and He will make good for it'." (Psalm 54:23).

Father Basil served the Lord in many ways. He served a grateful nation as a chaplain to men who were willing to lay down their life for his country and the cause of freedom in the armed forces. He served the Orthodox Church in America as a parish priest teaching and praying, confessing and communing, baptizing and marrying, anointing and burying thousands of faithful, entrusted to his spiritual care in his various parish assignments. He served the Church in the world by his research and doctoral dissertation on the Church in Russia, at a time when Soviet communism had blackened the name of our people and our faith in this land. He served St. Tikhon's Seminary as a professor and a Dean and an alumnus- benefactor. He served hundreds of thousands of Orthodox and non-Orthodox readers as Editor of the widely- read and popularly- acclaimed publication The Orthodox Herald.

He was a "priest for all seasons." What do I mean? For so many fellow clergymen, whether they be his classmates Fr. Soroka, Fr. Gavrusik, Fr. Ressetar, Fr. Bohush or Fr. Nehrebecki ... or priests my age ... or recent graduates of the Seminary ... Fr. Basil had their respect, their confidence, their trust. He was an advisor to several Bishops over the many years, including his beloved Metropolitan HERMAN, whose election he prophesied and rejoiced in greatly. He was a champion of our people in education, in the community and in the publishing world.

And for those of us here at St. Tikhon's ... it is a matter of record ... that in the darkest hours of our school's history, when it appeared that the doors of his hallowed Seminary would have to be closed, it was Fr. Basil who stood up to the task and came to save his alma mater. So many have been touched by his service, by his labors, by his love.

I myself was privileged to have been treated like a son by Fr. Basil. When I was working on my doctorate, he was constantly encouraging me, offering me guidance, even financial support. When I was considering my move to the OCA, he was a prophet of welcome. And when I was finally going through the transition, he was the one who constantly reassured me that I had made the right choice. Once a week, almost every week, we spoke on the phone - mentor and student. I will miss those weekly chances to learn from a "priest for all seasons." And I know that I am not alone there are many priests out in the trenches who gained knowledge and encouragement, strength and many times support ... from Fr. Basil.

We would be remiss if we did not mention Fr. Basil's other vocation -- his marriage to Matushka Nina, whom he loved so dearly. For nearly six decades they shared the Mystery of Holy Matrimony ... the good times, the struggles; the blessings, the sorrows. They were more than husband and wife - they were a "team" par excellence. Not only were they housemates and help-mates, but they were Batushka and Matushka, the Father and Mother of the parish communities they served ... the Editor and Co-Editor of
The Orthodox Herald, that they founded and co-wrote and co-published. So much of their life was intertwined - with their love for each other just as it should be according to the teaching of our Holy Church on the Sacrament of Marriage. An example for every generation - for all seasons!

Father Basil was a man of deep faith; therefore, he had little fear. He faced military service, parish councils, communist atrocities, the ravages of depression, and most recently sickness and suffering - and death itself. We pray for a "Christian ending to our life, painless and blameless and peaceful." Fr. Basil was blessed to experience that. The day before his repose, he said to someone on the phone, "Fr. Kudrikoff is calling me." That was Fr. Dimitry, his classmate of 1946, who had already reposed. As his health deteriorated and his condition weakened, Fr. Basil was unafraid. He was prepared for the journey to eternity. And on the Vigil of the Dormition of the Most Holy Mother of God ... in his own home, with his dear wife ... in his favorite chair ... Fr. Basil simply and quietly closed his eyes to this world for the last time ... and then opened them to the Lord Who awaits us all.

The distinguished career of a "priest for all seasons" has ended after half-a-century. A team of Father and Matushka has been separated for the first time in six decades. Senior priests, young priests, bishops and faithful alike, will not hear the wisdom of his sage advice any longer. But his legacy lives on. The Orthodox Herald will continue. And we are its beneficiaries. Thanks be to God for the blessing of Fr. basil in our midst. May his soul rest in the company of the saints. And may his memory be eternal!

Fr. Michael G. Dahulich