May the Lord God remember in His kingdom, our holy ecumenical Pontiff BENEDICT, Pope of Rome, our most reverend Archbishop and Metroplitan BASIL, and the entire priestly, diaconal, and monastic order, our civil authorities, and all in the service of our country, the noble and ever-memorable founders and benefactors of this holy Church, and all you Christians of the true faith, always, now and ever, and forever.

The history of the Mission of the Holy Resurrection began in 1999. On January 24^th (The Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee) of that year, a Divine Liturgy was served to determine the level of interest in establishing a Byzantine community in the East Tennessee area. The Divine Liturgy was held in Sacred Heart Cathedral, which was graciously made available to us by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Knoxville. Father Glen Michael Davidowich, from the Eparchy of Passaic, came to Knoxville to celebrate the Divine Liturgy. Over 100 people attended the Divine Liturgy that evening.

Based upon the large number of the faithful in attendance at that liturgy, it was determined to be appropriate that the Byzantine Catholic Community of East Tennessee be established to serve the needs of Byzantine Catholics in and around the city of Knoxville. The members of this new community began to eagerly prepare for their first Divine Liturgy as an established community, and already began praying for the day when they might be recognized as a parish dedicated to the Dormition of the Most Holy Mother of God. Father Thomas O'Connell of the Diocese of Knoxville began the process of obtaining bi-ritual faculties from the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh.

When it was realized that the Feast of the Dormition fell on a Sunday that year, efforts were re-doubled so as to have everything in place for a Divine Liturgy on that day. At last the day arrived, and the Byzantine Catholic Community of East Tennessee had its first Divine Liturgy on August 15^th, 1999. Holy Family Church of the Diocese of Knoxville hosted the liturgy. Over 80 worshippers filled the church, located in a pastoral setting in the shadow of the Great Smoky Mountains. After this first liturgy, the community began meeting on the third Sunday of every month for the Divine Liturgy.

The nascent community was greatly honored when, after a mere nine months of existence, Metroplitan JUDSON visited on Sunday, May 14^th, 2000 (The Sunday of the Paralytic). The theme of the sermon was Christ's threefold questioning of St. Peter, "Do you love me?" The archbishop told those gathered that the sacrifices they were making to establish a church was evidence that they, like Peter, indeed loved the Lord.

Buoyed by the enthusiasm engendered by Metropolitan JUDSON's canonical visitation, the community soon began meeting twice each month. Less than one year later, on the great Feast of Pascha, April 15^th, 2001, Metropolitan JUDSON elevated the Byzantine Catholic Community of East Tennessee to the canonical status of a mission named The Byzantine Catholic Mission of the Holy Resurrection. A scant nine days later, our beloved metropolitan fell asleep in the Lord. The newly established mission lost a great friend on earth, but gained a powerful intercessor in heaven.

On September 29^th, 2002, the mission was pleased to host Metropolitan BASIL on his first ever visit to East Tennessee. Although airline schedules resulted in his visit being shorter than we would have hoped, everyone was pleased with the opportunity to meet our newly elevated Metropolitan, and looked forward to a more leisurely visit sometime in the future.

In 2003, the mission began observing the major feasts of the Church with a Divine Liturgy. In September of that year, the mission marked a major milestone in its history. Starting in that month, the mission began celebrating the Divine Liturgy every Sunday of the year.

The next chapter in the history of the Mission of the Holy Resurrection has yet to be written. Won't you consider adding your life to the story?

Last updated: 26-Apr-2008