Fr. Basil Balke

Fr. Basil Balke serves as the founding priest of the Community and is dedicated to helping establish a healthy, welcoming Orthodox Christian community rooted in prayer, stability, and lived faith. His pastoral vision emphasizes the integration of Orthodox theology, spiritual formation, and practical care for individuals, marriages, and families seeking healing and growth within the life of the Church.


Education & Formation

Master of Divinity (MDiv),
 - St Sophia Ukrainian Orthodox Theological Seminary - (2026)

Master of Arts in Theology (MTh),
- Antiochian House of Studies & University of Balamand (2018)

Master of Arts in Counseling,
- Regis University (2016)

In addition to his formal degrees, Father Basil has extensive graduate-level training in counseling, marriage and family counseling, grief and loss, trauma-informed care, anxiety, addiction, and spiritual discernment. His formation reflects a conviction that authentic pastoral care must be both theologically grounded and deeply attentive to the realities of human suffering and growth.

Pastoral Approach

Fr. Basil’s pastoral work is shaped by Orthodox anthropology and the Church’s understanding of healing as a lifelong journey toward communion with God. He is especially attentive to the needs of converts, families with children, and those who carry wounds from past religious experiences. His approach emphasizes patience, clarity, and accompaniment rather than rigid formulas or quick answers.

Family & Parish Life

Fr. Basil and his wife, Brittany, live in the Denver area with their four children. As a family, they understand parish life not as a program but as an extension of the Christian household—marked by prayer, hospitality, shared meals, and the steady rhythms of work, school, and worship. Their family life strongly shapes the parish’s commitment to being a spiritual home where children are welcomed, parents are supported, and faith is lived together across generations.