About the Event

This event is a friendly gathering open to local guests and those traveling in. The event begins on the evening of Friday, July 31st, with a welcome session and short talk, followed by an appetizer reception. On Saturday, August 1st, we have the whole day together! We will have a morning session followed by lunch, catered on-site, and an afternoon session followed by discussion groups. We will celebrate Vespers together, then conclude our evening with dinner, catered on-site, and socializing. On Sunday, August 2nd, everyone is welcome to Divine Liturgy at St. Ignatius and coffee hour. Safe travels home, near or far!

Speaker Sessions

The Holy and the Unholy: Dragons in the Lives of the Saints • Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick
Many traditional saints' lives include the saint defeating a dragon, by slaying or by taming. What is the purpose of dragons in such stories? Why does this theme keep coming up? How are we modern people to incorporate these tales into our lives?

Did Adam have an Irish Accent? • Dcn. Seraphim Rohlin 

Ancient Jewish traditions about the life of Adam and Eve—what happened to them after they were expelled from the garden, and the manner of Adam’s repentance and death -- were preserved in the Church through a series of Syriac, Greek, and Slavonic texts. What you may not know is that the Irish church preserved them too -- and put their own Celtic spin on these foundational stories.

Jonah the Thrice-Dying • Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick
Weaving together traditions both ancient and medieval, Fr. Andrew tells the tale of the prophet Jonah in a way you have never heard before.

The Fox and the Dove • Dcn. Seraphim Rohlin 

Drawing from the well of medieval Irish hagiography, Dcn. Seraphim will tell the true story of one of the first copyright disputes in European history, and one of the most unlikely saints to ever come to Britain: A man called the Fox.

Event FAQs

Who’s Invited: This event is for guests aged 13 and up. Guests under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. This is an openly, joyfully Orthodox event. You do not have to be Orthodox to attend; if you want to be there, we want you there. All guests must be registered.

Lodging: If traveling from out of town, you are responsible for finding nearby accommodations.
Parking: There is plenty of free parking at St. Ignatius Antiochian Orthodox Church for guests attending the conference.

Airports: If you intend to fly in, the Nashville International Airport is less than an hour's drive away from St. Ignatius. Car rental is available at the airport.

Meals: Registration includes meals served buffet-style for Saturday lunch and dinner and Sunday coffee hour. Refreshments will also be served at Friday's reception.

Cancellations & Refunds: Cancellations will be accepted and refunded until July 10, 2026. No refunds will be issued after this date. To cancel and receive a refund, email the Events team (events@ancientfaith.com).

Ticket Transfers: Tickets are nontransferable. If a ticket holder is unable to attend, they may seek a refund before July 10, 2026.

Questions: Please don’t hesitate to contact our Events team at events@ancientfaith.comwith any questions.

Before Registering

• Review the details above regarding travel, sample schedule, and ticket refunds and transfers.
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