Saints Mary Magdalene & Markella Greek Orthodox Church of Darlington MD

Saints Mary Magdalene & Markella Greek Orthodox Church of Darlington

Saints Mary Magdalene & Markella Greek Orthodox Church of Darlington serves the Orthodox Christian community of Darlington, Maryland, offering regular worship services and preserving Greek Orthodox faith, traditions, and community life in the region.

Phone:

+1 (410) 457-0303

E-mail:

stsmmgoc@gmail.com

Website:

https://www.stsmm.org

Address:

3714 Dublin Road

Darlington, Maryland 21034

Directions:

Get directions

Clergy:

Rev. Presbyter Eleftherios Plevrakis, Presiding Priest

Church Type:

Parish

Denomination:

Greek Orthodox

Metropolis:

Metropolis of New Jersey

Affiliation:

Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America

Ecumenical Patriarch:

Bartholomew I of Constantinople

Clergy Information updated Jan 2026

History

Saints Mary Magdalene and Markella Greek Orthodox Church of Darlington, Maryland was established in 2004, founded to bring Orthodox Christian worship to Harford County, a part of the state that had previously been without its own Greek Orthodox parish. In early 2004 Metropolitan Evangelos of New Jersey appointed Father Stavros Kosmas to an interim Parish Council, and on April 12 of that year the new Greek Orthodox Church of Harford County officially filed Articles of Incorporation with the State of Maryland. The first service was held on July 17, 2004, at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, with Father Lou Noplos of Saint Demetrios Church officiating. Local priests served in rotation until the first permanent priest, Father R. Nicholas Rafael II, was assigned on September 1, 2004. Shortly after his arrival the parish began meeting in the chapel of The John Carroll School in Bel Air.

During this early period the parish purchased its current building on Dublin Road in Darlington and submitted a list of possible patron saints to the Metropolis. Among those proposed was Saint Markella, the fourteenth-century virgin martyr of the island of Chios who died at her father's hand rather than surrender her purity, and whose miraculous rock on Chios is said to spring healing waters. The Metropolis designated the parish under the dual dedication of Saints Mary Magdalene and Markella, two women saints celebrated on the same feast day of July 22, one an apostle equal to the apostles who bore the news of the Resurrection to Christ's disciples, the other a martyr whose fidelity unto death on a Greek island echoes through the centuries.

Father Manuel Burdusi was appointed presiding priest beginning September 1, 2007, and under his tenure the parish grew and expanded its ministries. The Annual Greek Festival, which began on the church grounds, eventually moved to the grounds of The John Carroll School in Bel Air, where it has drawn the broader Harford County community each year to share in Hellenic food, music, and hospitality.

Saints Mary Magdalene and Markella Greek Orthodox Church at 3714-16 Dublin Road in Darlington serves the Orthodox Christian faithful of Harford County as a parish of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of New Jersey within the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.

This page serves as a reference resource for Saints Mary Magdalene & Markella Greek Orthodox Church of Darlington, providing essential information such as location, contact details, clergy, and church affiliation. It is intended to help visitors and members of the Orthodox Christian community easily find accurate parish information in one place.

Map Directions

How to Get To Saints Mary Magdalene & Markella

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I register as a member at a Greek Orthodox parish?

Parish membership is generally established by registering with the church office. Each parish may have its own process for enrollment and participation in parish life.

Can I attend services if I am not a registered member of the parish?

Greek Orthodox churches welcome visitors and non-members to attend services. Participation in sacraments may require coordination with the parish and priest.

How do I contact the parish priest for pastoral matters?

Pastoral requests are typically handled by the parish priest. The parish office can assist with contact details and help coordinate appointments or inquiries.

How do I register to baptize my child in the Greek Orthodox Church?

Baptism requests are handled by the local parish. The church will usually require documentation from the parents and godparent, along with coordination with the priest to schedule the baptism.

How do I request a wedding date at my Greek Orthodox church?

Wedding dates are scheduled through the parish office and priest. Availability depends on the church calendar, fasting periods, and parish guidelines, so it is recommended to inquire well in advance.

How do I obtain a copy of my Greek Orthodox marriage certificate?

Marriage certificates are typically issued by the church where the sacrament took place. To request a copy, contact the parish office directly and ask what information or identification is required.

How do I obtain a copy of my Greek Orthodox baptismal certificate?

Baptismal certificates are typically issued by the church where the baptism took place. To request a copy, contact the parish office directly and ask what information or identification is required.

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