Source: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
A team of twenty-one faithful parishioners from Saint Mark Greek Orthodox Church in Boca Raton, Florida, led by His Eminence Metropolitan Sevastianos of Atlanta, parish priest Fr. Mark Leondis and OCMC (Orthodox Christian Mission Center) Development Director, Dan Christopulos, recently returned from a transformational mission pilgrimage to Kenya, where they celebrated the consecration of the newly built Saint Mark Orthodox Cathedral in Kapsabet. The delegation represented nearly 800 families of the Saint Mark Church who had prayed for, funded, and spiritually supported the building of this sister church through a partnership with OCMC.
This historic journey was graced by the presence of Fr. Vasile Bitere of Augusta, Georgia. His Eminence noted: “I could not be more proud of the faithful of Saint Mark Church in Boca Raton. Their unwavering love for the Lord and commitment to spreading the Gospel have brought hope, joy, and light to our Orthodox brothers and sisters in Kenya. To consecrate this cathedral and witness such profound faith in action was a moving experience. It was also a personal blessing to spend time with my dear friend, Archbishop Makarios, whose decades of service have inspired countless souls. This mission truly touched my heart.”
They served at the consecration alongside the Archbishop of Nairobi, who represented the His Holiness, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, Theodoros II, along with Hierarchs from Kenya and Uganda, the local Bishop, Neofitos of Eldoret, as well as 50 clergy. The cathedral was constructed as a living expression of the love and generosity of the Saint Mark parish, and now stands as a vibrant beacon of Orthodoxy in Kenya.
The idea to build a sister church in Kenya was born a few years ago when the faithful of Saint Mark felt called to extend their parish’s witness beyond borders. For the past year and a half, the Saint Mark faithful fundraised, held events and raised awareness. In collaboration with OCMC and under the local episcopal care of Bishop Neofitos, the vision took shape—culminating in the construction and now consecration of the Saint Mark Cathedral in Kapsabet.
The pilgrimage was rich with spiritual depth, cultural immersion, and heartfelt service. Some of the highlights were:
- Consecration of Saint Mark Cathedral – Almost 2,000 faithful gathered for the consecration services, which were filled with joy, traditional Kenyan Orthodox music and dance, and a deep spirit of prayer and celebration.
- Visit to Archbishop Makarios III Patriarchal Seminary in Nairobi – faithful met with seminarians, saw the translation department, visited the primary school and newly built OCMC dormitories that will help bring income to the seminary, and learned about the theological education shaping the next generation of Orthodox clergy in Africa.
- Mission Work with Schools and Children – The team visited several mission schools, bringing supplies, sponsoring meals for over 800 children, and sharing moments of joy through music, dance, and fellowship.
- Overnight at the Masai Mara, safari and visit to a traditional Masai village.
- Evening with Archbishop Makarios – His Eminence shared stories from his five decades of missionary service, leaving a lasting impression on the group.
“This journey reminded us that the Church is truly One—across oceans, cultures, and languages. We were humbled and blessed to walk with our brothers and sisters in Kenya,” said Fr. Mark Leondis, Priest of Saint Mark in Boca. During his talk at the Consecration, Fr. Mark stated, “Although we are 12,752 kilometers away, we are united through the Chalice. And together, we are the Saint Mark family. This is not the end of our relationship, but the beginning of a lifelong connection in Christ.”
The Saint Mark Mission Pilgrimage stands as a powerful witness of Christian love in action—rooted in worship, extended through service, and made holy through fellowship with Christ and His people around the world. Indeed this adventure fulfilled the Saint Mark Mission to be “a pillar of Orthodoxy Christianity in South Florida, nurturing, strengthening, transforming and sharing our Faith in Jesus Christ, ‘glorifying God by loving one another as Christ loves us.” (John 13:34)