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The Order of the Sisters of St. Basil the Great is a
community of women dedicated to the spiritual and
educational pursuits of the people of God. Founded in the
fourth century by St. Basil the Great and his sister, St.
Macrina, the community is a religious order of the Eastern
Catholic Church.
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St. Basil and St. Macrina urged
their followers to be "co-workers with
God" in the task of developing the potential of
each human being through education and development
of the whole person. The Basilian tradition
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spread
throughout Asia Minor and Europe, and by the 11th
Century, this tradition became rooted in Ukraine.
The
community at Fox Chase Manor (near Philadelphia) was
established in 1911 when the Most Reverend Soter
Ortynsky, the first Ukrainian Bishop in the United
States, invited the Sisters of St. Basil to come to
Philadelphia and open an orphanage and school.
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The
Infinite beauty of God is constantly being
discovered anew.
Gregory
of Nyssa
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The young Mother Helena Langevich, OSBM,
was the first to volunteer for this pioneering mission. As
Foundress of the American Foundation, she was joined by
two companions, Sister Paphnutia and Sister Euphemia, to
make this voyage.
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their arrival in Philadelphia, the Sisters met the
needs of the time - teaching religion, language and
culture to the Ukrainian immigrants. In the early
years, under the direction of Mother Josaphat
Theodorovych, the American Province grew from its
original foundation with the purchase of property in
Fox Chase, PA. |
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Motherhouse |
Evening schools gave way to the
establishment of local parochial schools. In addition to a
printing house, an orphanage was founded. Eventually, a
high school for girls (St. Basil Academy), a college
(Manor College) and most recently a Basilian Spirituality
Center were established.
Under
the patronage of Jesus, Lover of Humanity, the Province is
one of many Provinces serving throughout North and South
America, Europe and Australia.
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