AUTOCEPHALOUS BYZANTINE ORTHODOX MISSION

An Anglo-Orthodox Jurisdiction in America

THE FRANCISCAN FRIARS of the FORSAKEN are a Public Association of the Faithful Observing the Primitive Rule of St. Francis – a Mendicant, Contemplative Jurisdiction.

PROVINCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

SAINT KATERI TEKAKWITHA.FRIARY

SPECIAL NOTATION:

NOTE: Our Jurisdiction is Anglo-Orthodox and NOT under the authority of Rome

The Brothers are dedicated to Jesus Christ, living a life of prayer and sacrifice in serving the poor.

We center our lives on the Liturgy of the Mass. We pray 5 times a day for El Paso and the World.

ABOUT US:

The Franciscan Order in the Orthodox Church are formally called Order of the Friars Minor Observant (Orthodox), and more commonly known as Franciscan Friars of the Forsaken.

• Anglo-Orthodox or Western Rite Orthodox Franciscan communities are a more recent development but are formally recognized within their respective church bodies. 

• Order of Orthodox Franciscans: Are affiliated with the Autocephalous Byzantine Orthodox Catholic Church. The Order was founded in 2007 and became a formal Autocephalous Orthodox Organization in 2025.
• Membership: is open to lay and ordained members and functions as an order where members take vows.

Key Differences from Catholic Franciscans

• Ecclesiastical Authority: Orthodox as well as Anglican and Lutheran Franciscans are under the jurisdiction of their respective Bishops and church councils, not the Pope.
• Ecumenical Focus: Many of these orders participate in the Joint Committee on Franciscan Unity to collaborate with Roman Catholic and other ecumenical Franciscan groups. 

We are discalced Friars whose members observe Jesus’ commend when he sent out His Apostles with just one pair of Sandals on their feet (Matthew 10:10), we therefore go barefoot around the friary and wear nothing on our feet but sandals when we go out.

We observe a life of complete dedication to God in conjunction with the teachings of the Apostles as handed down to them by Jesus Christ.

We hold to the teachings of the Traditional Christian Church established by Jesus Christ, as found in the pages of the New Testament more than 2,000 years ago. We have remained faithful to what was given to us by Jesus and His Apostles.

We are mostly a self-supporting Religious Community as the brothers work secular jobs (i.e.: dishwasher, food delivery, etc.) to support the friary. While we try to earn our own way, our own housing, food and utilities are all rising in cost. As such, we ask that if you wish to DONATE to our ministry and help us in our work with the poor, you can do so by clicking the DONATE link.

Thank you for your prayers and support.
Sincerely, in Christ,
Your Brothers in Christ

We are a canonically established religious order under the Autocephalous Byzantine Orthodox Mission – Western Rite Metropolia..

Our Apostolic Lineage succeeds from Orthodox and Roman Catholic Lineage which has been confirmed by the Greek and Ukrainian Orthodox Jurisdictions as well as then Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger’s office.