The Orthodox Herald October 2002 Issue |
The Very Rev. W. Basil Stroyen, 77, of Hunlock Creek, died Wednesday at home. Born April 24, 1925, in Frackville, he was a son of the late Very Rev. Basil M. and Matushka Anna (Smuzanitza) Stroyen. He graduated from St. Tikhon's Orthodox Theological Seminary and held a doctorate from Syracuse University. His thesis was published by Catholic University Press. He retired from the U.S. Air Force after 25 years as first chaplain of the Eastern Orthodox faith. He had been active during the Korean and Vietnam wars. He was ordained to the Holy Priesthood in 1946 and was an Orthodox Church parish priest and dean of St. Tikhon's. He founded and was editor for the past 50 years of The Orthodox Herald, an international monthly publication. During the last few years, he participated in a national telephone counseling ministry. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Anna Komyati and Marie Pervezniak, and brother, George. Surviving are his wife of 56 years, Matushka Nina (Bohush) Stroyen. Priest's Burial Service and Hierarchical Divine Liturgy with Requiem Services were held Saturday at St. Tikhon's Orthodox Monastery Church, South Canaan. His Beatitude Metropolitan Herman and the Clergy of Eastern Pennsylvania officiated. Military honors were conducted by McGuire Air Force Base. Interment was in St. Tikhon's Orthodox Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to St. Tikhon's Library Building Fund, in care of Attorney Basil G. Russin, 1575 Wyoming Ave., Forty Fort, 18704. Arrangements were by the Simon S. Russin Funeral Home Inc., Plains Township. ADDENDUM Upon ordination in June 1946, Fr. Basil was assigned to Moundsville, WV and Bellaire, OH with orders to service the needs of the faithful in Robins, OH. His subsequent assignments were to parishes in Rahway, NJ, Mayfield, PA, Dallas, PA, Syracuse, NY and Lansford, PA. He founded the first Orthodox parish in Honolulu, HI. He saw the need for explaining the Orthodox faith in the English language. He promoted and organized Sunday Schools, a church bulletin which he ran off on a mimeo machine, added an English Obednitsa to an already full Sunday morning schedule, and founded The Orthodox Herald . Although, he saw the need for English, he lamented the complete elimination of Church Slavonic. He believed that education was necessary for "our" people to advance. He encouraged, mentored and financed many in their quest. He taught by example. Following graduation from St. Tikhon's Seminary, he earned a bachelor's degree from Rutgers University, a master's from the University of Illinois and a doctorate from Syracuse University. He did not stop here, he did postgraduate work in the field of gerontology. He was the first graduate of St. Tikhon's to earn a PhD. He was an active member of the Metropolia Commission on the Resettlement of Displaced Persons taking over 75 people into his home, helping them in many ways to adjust to life in the U.S. He taught for the University of Maryland, the University of Scranton and was a counselor at Lackawanna Community College. Although of Carpatho-Russian heritage, he perfected his Russian to native born proficiency and used both languages in his life in the Church and for his country. He was an analyst on a Yale Research Project and following retirement from the military he worked for a branch of the U.S. Government interviewing refugees from the Soviet Union. He used his knowledge to translate and research articles for The Orthodox Herald. His translation in his book of the Church Laws in the Soviet Union were used as a definite translation in an Israel Court of Law in cases concerning church property. In all his endeavors, his Orthodox faith was foremost in his mind and heart. He encountered many obstacles in both his military and church life for his tenacious outlook. His church was his life and his hobby. Everything he did was related to it. He was a Type A person; but in the last few years of his life when his strength was ebbing, he turned to a life of solitude and spent most of his hours praying, meditating and reflecting. He was preparing himself to meet his Maker. "Blessed is he whom Thou has chosen and taken, O Lord." |
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith...the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me." 2 Timothy 4:7,17 |
">
">
">
">
Very Reverend W. Basil Stroyen, Ph.D. Born: April 24, 1925 Fallen Asleep: August 14, 2002 "A Christian ending to our life: painless, blameless, and peaceful; And a good defense before the dread judgment seat of Christ, Let us ask of the Lord." "Grant it, O Lord." Memory Eternal and Eternal Rest |
">
">
">
">
Memorial donations to: Stroyen Library Fund c/o Attorney Basil Russin 1575 Wyoming Avenue Forty Fort, PA 18704 |
