The Southern Appalachian region, which was hit so hard by Hurricane Helene in September of 2024, is still far from recovering. The destruction of winds and floods and landslide has been felt all the more deeply due to the economic depression that has long haunted many of these remote towns. Among the charitable organizations that have turned their efforts to our forgotten region is a hearty group of Orthodox teens from various parishes up north, under the name The Orthodox Youth Mission Team (OYMT). 
 
Our parish was honored to host the OYMT on Sunday, June 29th, the feast of Saints Peter & Paul, on their way to their final destination of southeast Kentucky (Harlan Co.), where they spent the following week rebuilding homes. Among the 50 teens and chaperones whom we welcomed were three clergy: Fr. Luke Mihaly of Holy Trinity Church (ACROD) in Danbury, CT, who founded the OYMT over a decade ago; Fr. Vladimir Zablotsky of Holy Trinity Church (OCA) in Yonkers, NY; and Fr. Mircea Geana of Holy Trinity Church (OCA) in Springfield, VT.  
It was a special joy for our parish to have five priests together serving the Divine Liturgy at our holy altar. We also served a Trisagion for the victims of the terrorist bombing of St. Elias Church in Damascus, Syria. Afterward we enjoyed our usual sit-down Fellowship Meal, as youth from the OYMT and from our parish played together outside. 
 
We are grateful for the OYMT laboring for the Lord in our own vineyard, and we hope that the next time they come to our area, we can increase their numbers with some of our own faithful! 

For more information and to read youth reflections from this year's trip, please visit www.oymt.info.