CREDITONS newest church, The Orthodox Parish of St Boniface and St Petroc, opened on Sunday, August 3 with a service held at the Age Concern Crediton, Deep Lane Centre. Led by Father Gregory Hallam, Head of the Antiochian Orthodox Church in the UK, an enthusiastic group of local people celebrated Divine Liturgy and were later able to join a question and answer session about the activities of the church nationally and internationally. Marie Matthews, co-founder of the Crediton Mission said: This has been a wonderful day and an historical day. Many Christians are looking for something deeper and more challenging and we feel that the Orthodox Church offers this. We have been very encouraged by the level of interest and support from Kirtonians and we shall be holding services regularly from now on. We are now a permanent fixture within the rich tapestry of Christian worship in Mid Devon. Maries husband, Tim, who trained as a Reader in the church, is looking for singers to join the choir. He said: Orthodox music is beautiful with many settings in Greek, Russian, and Arabic. The music is eclectic and we welcome local people to come and learn to sing with us. The next Holy Communion service, Divine Liturgy, takes place on Saturday, October 4 and beforehand, weekly Vespers and Matins services. For more information about the church and future services please telephone 07833 897 324 or email: [email protected]">[email protected] . VIGIL TOMORROW Tomorrow, Saturday, 16, the public is invited to join church members in a Vigil for the Middle East gathering at 11am in Crediton High Street outside the entrance to Ernest Jacksons at 29 High Street. A spokesman for the church said: We are holding the vigil to bring local peoples attention to the genocide and massacre of Christians and other minorities by Islamist extremists in Iraq and Syria. This Christian Vigil, an idea born locally is being taken up by congregations around the world.