The Society was organized in 1932 to “disseminate the faith among non-Orthodox.” Then as now, the society is primarily composed of converts who share with one another and with enquirers the consolation which they have found in the Mother of Churches.
On 12 May 1934, Archbishop Ignatius (Nichols) wrote “It is a unique sacred right which permits the people of every nation to accept the age-old tenets of the Holy Orthodox Christian Faith and, to develop for themselves their own autonomous canonical identity as a united ecclesiastic jurisdictional structure of that One, Holy, Apostolic, Orthodox Catholic Faith within the heritage of their own nation’s cultural tradition.” Basilians agree with St Vincent of Lerins, who reminds us that there are three central characteristics of the faith: that it is held everywhere (universality), always (antiquity), and by all (consent). While acknowledging and celebrating our differences and diversity, we seek to find common ground in the threads of continuity that link all of us here and now and through all the ages.
On 12 November 1939, in response to the request of the Chapter to pursue a course separate and independent of any diocesan body, Archbishop Ignatius consecrated Alexander (Turner), the then Provincial of the Society, to the episcopacy, providing the society with both independence and autonomy. The administrative center and motherhouse were for many years at the Church of Holy Wisdom in Mount Vernon, New York, and moved to the Cathedral of Saint Basil in Antioch, Tennessee in the summer of 1977.
Basilians are engaged in the usual apostolates of parish, community, hospitality, and educational work. Perhaps the best description of Basilian spirituality is as a hybrid between diocesan and religious prayer and work. In practice, Basilian spirituality is much like that which is found in the Book of Sirach, for we believe that all aspects of life can lead a person to God.
The Society, while ready and eager to maintain the most cordial relations with all churches, continues independent of any jurisdiction to promote the work and ministry of +Ignatius Nichols, +Alexander Turner and +Francis Forbes, as an independent self-governing community within the Basilian tradition.