Apologia: A Gathering of Orthodox Apologists

 Apologia: A Gathering of Orthodox Apologists

Give an Answer to Every Man that Asketh

The Windmill Winery & Historic Florence Auditorium, Florence, AZ

This unprecedented and historic conference, bringing together Orthodox apologists and catechists, will take place in Florence, Arizona, from December 3-5 on the theme: Apologia: Give an Answer to Every Man that Asketh (1 Peter 3:15). With the blessing and participation from His Eminence Metropolitan Nicolae of the Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese of the United States of America esteemed clergy and lay apologists who are firmly rooted in the patristic teaching will guide us in understanding the Orthodox Way of Apologia. Near St. Anthony’s Monastery, in the tranquility of the Sonora Desert, celebrating the Feast of Saint Cleopa of Sihastria, in English for the first time, all in attendance will have an opportunity to be edified, shaped and spiritually energized, as iron sharpens iron. A rare gathering and an exceptional opportunity you won’t want to miss! 

BOOK ROOMS NOW ~ SEE BELOW ~ LIMITED AVAILABILITY 

CHAIRMAN

His Eminence Metropolitan NICOLAE of the Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese of the United States of America

Main Speakers

His Eminence Metropolitan NICOLAE of the Romanian Orthodox Metropolia

His Eminence Archbishop ALEXEI of Alaska

His Eminence Metropolitan NEOPHYTOS of Morphou, Cyprus (speaking via livestream)

Archpriest Josiah Trenham, Rector of St. Andrew’s Orthodox Church, Riverside, CA.

Archpriest John Whiteford, Rector of St. Jonah Orthodox Church, Spring, TX.

Archpriest Peter Heers, Rector of Ss. Paisius of Mt. Athos and Cleopa of Sihastria Orthodox Church, Florence, AZ.

Monk Filotheu Bǎlan, Petru Voda Monastery, Romania (speaking via livestream)

Constantine Zalalas, Saint Nikodemos Publications, Bethlehem, PA.

Jay Dyer, of jaysanalysis.com, Palm Coast, Florida

Round Table Discussion Participants

Fr. Joseph Huneycutt, St. Joseph Orthodox Church, Houston, TX.

Fr. Jonathan Ivanoff, St. John the Theologian Orthodox Church, Shirley, NY.

Fr. Seraphim Holland, St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, McKinney, TX.

Fr. John Valadez, St. Timothy Orthodox Church, Lompoc, CA.

Fr. Turbo Qualls, St. Mary of Egypt Orthodox Church, Kansas City, MO.

Fr. Sebastian Craffey, St. Gregory Palamas Orthodox Church, Sedona, AZ.

Dcn. Patrick Mitchell , St. John the Baptist Russian Orthodox Cathedral, Washington D.C.

Dcn. Ananias Sorem Ph.D, Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church, Butte, MT. 

David Patrick Harry Ph.D., Church of the Eternal Logos Podcast

Rdr. Paul Trinca, Sts. Theodore Orthodox Church, Williamsville, NY.

Alex Sorin Esq., Orthodox Podcaster and Apologist 

Seraphim Johnson, Counterflow Podcast, St. Andrew Orthodox Church, Lockhart, Texas

Ben Michael, host of podcast "American Orthodoxy," Greenville, SC.

Presenters

David Nak, Orthodox podcaster and Apologist, author, Thessaloniki, Greece

Basil Neil DeGraide, musician and filmmaker, Daytona Beach, FL.

REGISTRATION DETAILS

Conference Registration                        $195

5 Meals, all ages                                      $100

All prices are per person, include taxes and gratuity

Registration deadline is November 8, 2026

Lodging is booked separately, see below.

Questions, please email:  UMPadmin@icloud.com  

HOTEL INFORMATION

GREEN TREE INN & SUITES, FLORENCE AZ

- SOLD OUT -

The Green Tree Inn:  520-868-9900

Please reference Group:  Uncut Mountain Press 

OVERFLOW HOTELS

Gold Canyon Golf Resort

- BOOK ASAP - 

-35 minute drive from the Green Tree Inn

Gold Canyon is offering a $135 ++ rate at this LINK

Group name:  Uncut Mountain Press

Holiday Inn Express in Casa Grande

Book Rooms here: 

Rancho Sonora Inn and RV Park

RV is Open - ROOMS SOLD OUT

520-868-8000

-8 minute drive from the Green Tree Inn

Call for availability, M-Sat, 8am-12pm

Consider AirBnB options, as well. 

VENUES

WINDMILL WINERY

1140 West Butte Avenue

Florence AZ 85132

Thursday evening and Friday morning events are held at Windmill Winery in the Red Barn, 2 miles from the Green Tree Inn and Suites Hotel. 

Historic Florence Auditorium (FUSD)

1000 S Main St., Florence, AZ 85132

Location of Friday and Saturday conference talks and meals, an 8 minute walk from the Green Tree Inn.

CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

THURSDAY – DECEMBER 3

3:30 pm   Registration Opens

4:30 pm   Vespers [Winery]

6:00 pm   Dinner [Winery]

6:30 pm   Opening of Conference: Archpriest Peter Heers

6:45 pm   Opening Address: Met. Nicolae: Contemporary Challenges to American Orthodoxy

7:15 pm   Lecture 1: Bishop Alexei of Alaska: Faithfulness to Holy Tradition: Apologetics in Sacred Alaska

7:45 pm   Lecture 2: Archpriest Josiah Trenham: Apologetics as Evangelism: Calling the World to Christ

8:15 pm   Q & A / Discussion

FRIDAY – DECEMBER 4

7:00 am   Orthros [Winery]

8:30 am   Divine Liturgy [Winery]

11:00 am   Breakfast [Auditorium courtyard FUSD (1000 S Main St.)]

11:45 am   Interview: Metropolitan Neophytos of Morphou: Orthodox Mission Today

12:30 pm   Lecture 3: Monk Filotheu Bǎlan: St. Cleopa: the Apogee of Orthodox Apologetics

1:00 pm   Q&A + Clergy Round Table: Frs. Turbo Qualls, Sebastian Craffey, Jonathan Ivanoff, & Dn. Ananias Sorem: How Not to Do Online Apologetics Or Healing for the Digital Addicted

1:45 pm  New Book: David Nak: An Analysis of Anti-Chalcedonian Claims 

2:00 pm Lunch Break 

3:00 pm  Depart for St. Anthony’s Monastery: Visit, Vespers

6:00 pm   Return to the Florence Auditorium (1000 S Main St.)

6:30 pm  Dinner at the Florence Auditorium courtyard (1000 S Main St.)

7:30 pm  Lecture 4: Fr. Peter Heers: The Ethos of Orthodox Apologetics

8:00 pm  Lecture 5: Archimandrite Savas: Apologetics of the Saints: By Their Life, Speech, Mission and Martyrdom

8:30 pm  Lecture 6: Fr. John Whiteford: Hieromonk Seraphim: Apologetics of the Heart & Super-Correctness

9:00 pm  Q&A / Round Table: Frs. Joseph Huneycutt, John Valadez, Seraphim Holland, and Dn. Patrick Mitchell ~ Salt and Light That They May Glorify Our Father: What is our Goal Online? 

SATURDAY – DECEMBER 5

8:00 am  Breakfast 

9:00 am  Christianities? The Movie: Basil Neil DeGraide gives an update

9:15 am   Lecture 7: Constantine Zalalas: Monks & Martyrs: The Necessity of Hesychastic Prayer and Ascestic Struggle to be an Apologist

9:45 am  Lecture 8: Jay Dyer: The Right (and Wrong) Way to Do Orthodox Apologetics

10:15 am  Short Break

10:30 am  Q&A / ROUND TABLE: + Alex Sorin, D.P. Harry, Ben Michael Langlois: The Layman’s Guide to The Orthodox Way of Online Witness

11:15 am  Apologia 2026 Reprise: Fr. Sebastian Craffey, Fr. Turbo Qualls, Dn. Patrick Mitchell, Reader Paul Trinca, Seraphim "Buck" Johnson 

12:00 pm  Closing Remarks: Archpriest Peter Heers 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 

Can children attend the conference?

Yes, children are welcome, however there is no special rate as space is limited. 

Can you tell me about the meals?

Meals consist of Thursday dinner/ Friday breakfast, lunch, dinner/ Saturday breakfast served buffet-style with various food and drink options.  Meals will be fasting, with fish and seafood options available.  For food allergies, or any dietary concerns please email UMPadmin@icloud.com no later than November 18, 2026.   

Is there a part-time registration, or partial meal plan?

There is one standard registration fee which helps cover all the costs associated with providing the conference.  We won’t be able to offer partial registrations unless we reach a certain threshold.

Are the talks going to be recorded and offered at a later date?

Talks will be recorded but a livestream offering is still to be determined.  The overriding focus is to provide a meaningful retreat for the faithful with enriching fellowship.

For all questions please email:  UMPadmin@icloud.com

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Airport:  The closest commercial airport is Phoenix International Airport located, a one-hour drive to Florence.

Driving/RV Parking:  There is plenty of on-site parking for guests at the venue locations.  There is a RV park 8 miles away at Rancho Sonora Inn and RV Park, 9198 Arizona 79, Florence, AZ.

Specific dietary requests:  For food allergies, or any dietary concerns please contact UMPadmin@icloud.com no later than November 18, 2026.

Weather/attire:  December temperatures typically range from high of 70F˚ to lows of 42F˚.  You may want to bring a mix of casual, outdoor, and church attire for the conference.  PLEASE NOTE: Vespers and Divine Liturgy will be held outdoors at the Windmill Winery location, please bring a warm jacket as evening and morning hours will feel cool.

Conference Registration Refunds:   Refunds for Registration and Meals are available until November 8, 2026 by emailing:  UMPadmin@icloud.com 

For more details, including biographies of the speakers, FAQ and additional information, please see and download the full Apologia Conference PDF above ("Preview (free)").