The Archpriest Boniface H. Black, treasured mentor

The Archpriest Boniface H. Black, 84, of Souderton, Pa., died Sunday, Aug. 7, 2016. He was the husband of Khouriye Joyce Black, his wife of 56 years.

Born Nov. 21, 1931, in Quincy, Ill., he was a son of the late Orin Russell and Mary Louise (Staley) Black.

Father Boniface served Lutheran Churches in Iowa and Pennsylvania before entering Eastern Orthodoxy. He was pastor of Saint Philip Antiochian Orthodox Church in Souderton from 1978 until 2009 when he became pastor of Saint Andrew Antiochian Orthodox Church in Lewes.

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. In addition, Father Boniface was a treasured mentor to many.

Father Boniface is survived by two children, Jonathan Black (Mary Lynne), of Perkiomenville, Pa., and Anna Mary Vogt (Jon) of Yorktown, Va.; his brother, Paul William Black, M.D. (Rebecca) of Sarasota, Fla.; and six grandchildren, Christopher (Sarah), Sarah, and Emily Vogt, Marissa and Hannah Kemperman and Elena Black.

In Delaware, a viewing will begin at 2 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 9, at St. Andrew Orthodox Church, 33385 MacKenzie Way, Lewes, with Trisagion Prayers beginning at 3:30 p.m.

In Pennsylvania, a viewing will begin at 5 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 10, at St. Philip Orthodox Church, 1970 Clearview Road, Souderton, with a Priestly Funeral beginning at 7 p.m. All are welcome.

The Divine Liturgy will begin at 9 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 11, at St. Philip Orthodox Church. The Funeral Service will follow. Burial will be in St. Philip Orthodox Church Cemetery, Souderton.

Arrangements are by the Huff & Lakjer Funeral Home, Lansdale.

For those desiring, it is suggested that contributions may be made in Father Boniface's memory to the Camp Scholarship Fund at St. Philip Orthodox Church, 1970 Clearview Road, Souderton, PA 18964, or to the Camp Scholarship Fund at St. Andrew Orthodox Church, 277 Lakeside Drive, Lewes, DE 19958.