Archpriest Peter Olsen

Born in 1958 in Brooklyn, New York of Russian and Danish descent. Studied at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (Crestwood, NY) and Iona College (New Rochelle, NY) 1975-1977. Studied at Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Seminary, Jordanville, NY 1977 - 1980 Graduated in 1980 with a Bth. Did studies in Russian language, Old Church Slavonic and Byzantine History at Columbia University (NYC) and University of Indiana Bloomington, IN). Married in 1982, ordained Deacon and Priest in 1983 in the ROCOR. Past assignments were the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Sign in NYC, Diocesan Center in Glen Cove, NY, St. Stephen’s Mission, Old Forge, PA, St. Alexander Nevsky Church, Jackson Heights, NY, Russian Orthodox Church of the Assumption, Richmond Hill, NY and Russian Orthodox Church of the Nativity of the Mother of God, Schenectady, NY (all ROCOR). In 1993 transferred from the ROCOR to the OCA and attached to Christ the Savior Mission, Ballston Spa, NY. Assigned in 2006 as rector of St. Basil’s Russian Orthodox Church, Watervliet, NY (OCA) where I currently serve. I am also a member of the Diocesan Council, Council of Presbyters and the Spiritual Court of the Diocese of NY and NJ, OCA. I am also the primary contact in New York for our Diocese for any accusations of sexual harassment. I have three children, one granddaughter (8 years old) and a second granddaughter on the way in September, 2020 My hobbies are traveling to Russia, music, playing the guitar and drawing.