Bishop Silvester of Jinja presided over the Artoklasia service for the new year on Wednesday 1 January 2025 at Holy Resurrection Cathedral. This was after the Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil the Great that was celebrated by Fr. Chrysostomos Koolya. The priest was assisted by Hierodeacon Moses Ssekubunga.
On 1 January, the Orthodox Church celebrates the Circumcision in the flesh of our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ. We also keep the memory of our father among the saints Basil the Great, Archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia. However, since it is the beginning of the year on the civil calendar, a special service was offered to bless it. The Ecclesiastical New Year begins on 1 September.
In the supplications, Bishop Silvester called for God’s protection against sin in the new year. “Forgive any sins that we have committed during the past year. Keep us free from sin in the new year. Enlighten us with the light of Your truth and Your Divine commandments,” he prayed.
The Hierarch also prayed for the spirit of goodness in the hearts of our rulers and leaders. “Support and strengthen them together with the armed forces; so that in their tranquility we may also lead a life of dignity,” he concluded.
The feast of Circumcision of our Lord and memory of St Basil the Great
Our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ was circumcised in the flesh on the eighth day after His birth. According to the festal Apolytikion, He assumed the human nature without transmutation, fulfilling the Mosaic Law. On this day the Lord was given the name Jesus which was foretold by the prophets. The Bishop of Jinja and Eastern Uganda clarified on the implication of giving the name, “An infant is given the name on the eighth day and if possible, call a priest on that day to offer a prayer. However, most people name their babies after 40 days or even at Baptism. But it is worthy to note that Baptism is not a ceremony of giving a name.”
About the feast of Saint Basil, the great, Bishop Silvester explained the extent of his greatness. “His theological writings which interpret the Holy Scriptures are of a great significance to the Church. These days a lot of people read the Holy Bible and interpret it in their own ways. But the Holy Scriptures can be interpreted orthodoxically by the grace of God through the guidance of the Holy Spirit,” he clarified.
Saint Basil the Great’s generosity and philanthropism left a lasting mark on the Church. The Archbishop of Caesarea pioneered the tradition of Orthodox mission centers having medical facilities, schools, orphanages and other philanthropic programs. He is the one who is considered Father Christmas in some Orthodox countries in Eastern Europe. In the western world, Father Christmas is Saint Nicholas, Bishop of Myra in Lycia.