This year, with the blessing of His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, a new mission dedicated to St. Peter the Aleut was opened in White Pine, TN, under the spiritual direction of the clergy of St. Tikhon Church in Blountville, TN. Services are conducted in a temporary location while a more suitable site is procured.

Members of the new mission suggested several Heavenly patrons, of which the Holy Martyr Peter the Aleut was chosen. At the Lenten Clergy Retreat in Jordanville on April 8-10, Metropolitan Nicholas presented Archpriest Matthew Williams, rector of St. Tikhon Church and the new mission, an icon of St. Peter.

The first divine services at the mission were held on Bright Friday the 10th and Saturday, the 11th of May. Paschal Vespers and Matins were served by Priest Joseph Sefchick (recently ordained to assist at St. Tikhon Church and with related mission work). The following morning, Fr. Matthew celebrated Divine Liturgy, co-served by Fr. Joseph. A newly formed mission choir, under the direction of Nicholas DeGaramo (from St Tikhon’s) sang the services.