About Us
In 2014 a group of Eastern Orthodox Christians, working with the late Father Boniface Black of Saint Andrew Antiochian Orthodox Church, Lewes, Delaware founded the Eastern Shore Orthodox Mission in Easton, Maryland.
The term Eastern Orthodoxy describes a large group of sister churches that originated from the work of Jesus Christ and his Apostles in Eastern Mediterranean lands and the ancient Patriarchates of Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch and Jerusalem. The missionary work of these first believers led to the spread of Eastern Orthodoxy from the Holy Land to every continent. At first, Orthodox services in the U.S. tended to reflect the language and origin of immigrants and their homelands. Presently, more Orthodox churches are using English for their entire worship. The new congregation in Easton is one of these.
On September 25th, 2021, our Mission was blessed to receive our patron saint name - St. Thekla. This is an important step for our community as it shows stability and growth over the past several years.
Currently, St. Thekla Orthodox Mission serves a group of congregants from Syrian, Greek, and Russian backgrounds as well as many who have converted to the Orthodox Church. Since our beginning, this core group of worshipers have worked steadfastly to sustain and grow the Mission. At this time, we are looking to expand our congregation and welcome all who might have an interest in a religious faith that had its origins in the first century.
The Mission meets on Saturday evenings at 5:00 PM for Readers Vespers, and Sunday mornings at 9:30 AM for the celebration of the Divine Liturgy. All interested are welcome to come to worship with us.
The term Eastern Orthodoxy describes a large group of sister churches that originated from the work of Jesus Christ and his Apostles in Eastern Mediterranean lands and the ancient Patriarchates of Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch and Jerusalem. The missionary work of these first believers led to the spread of Eastern Orthodoxy from the Holy Land to every continent. At first, Orthodox services in the U.S. tended to reflect the language and origin of immigrants and their homelands. Presently, more Orthodox churches are using English for their entire worship. The new congregation in Easton is one of these.
On September 25th, 2021, our Mission was blessed to receive our patron saint name - St. Thekla. This is an important step for our community as it shows stability and growth over the past several years.
Currently, St. Thekla Orthodox Mission serves a group of congregants from Syrian, Greek, and Russian backgrounds as well as many who have converted to the Orthodox Church. Since our beginning, this core group of worshipers have worked steadfastly to sustain and grow the Mission. At this time, we are looking to expand our congregation and welcome all who might have an interest in a religious faith that had its origins in the first century.
The Mission meets on Saturday evenings at 5:00 PM for Readers Vespers, and Sunday mornings at 9:30 AM for the celebration of the Divine Liturgy. All interested are welcome to come to worship with us.
About St. Thekla
About Our Founder
The Eastern Shore Orthodox Mission was founded by the Archpriest Boniface Black, of Souderton, PA Fr. Boniface reposed Sunday, August 7, 2016.
Father Boniface served Lutheran Churches in Iowa and Pennsylvania before entering Eastern Orthodoxy. He was Pastor of Saint Philip Antiochian Orthodox Church in Souderton, PA from 1978 until 2009 when he became Pastor of Saint Andrew Antiochian Orthodox Church in Lewes, DE. He was active in mission work for the Mid-Atlantic Antiochian Orthodox Christian Diocese, having helped start seven congregations in Pennsylvania, Virginia, Delaware, and Maryland. Under his guidance over the years, seven men were ordained into the Orthodox priesthood. |