Apologia: A Gathering of Orthodox Apologists

Apologia: A Gathering of Orthodox Apologists
Give an Answer to Every Man that Asketh

The Windmill Winery & Green Tree Inn, 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

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

Constantine Zalalas, Saint Nikodemos Publications, Bethlehem, PA

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

Round Table Discussion Participants

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 Langlois, host of podcast "American Orthodoxy," Greenville, SC

Ben Merritt, former Protestant pastor, host of podcast Cleave to Antiquity

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

YOU MUST CALL The Green Tree Inn:  520-868-9900

Please reference Group:  Uncut Mountain Press

$159+  King Room

$169+  Queen Room

• Book your room ASAP, as rooms are limited. 

OVERFLOW HOTELS

Gold Canyon Golf Resort
(480) 982-9090
-35 minute drive from the Green Tree Inn

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

Group name:  Uncut Mountain Press

Rancho Sonora Inn and RV Park

520-868-8000

-8 minute drive from the Green Tree Inn

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

AirBnB 

Click here for a local favorite.

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.

GREEN TREE INN & SUITES, FLORENCE AZ

240 W. Highway 287

Florence AZ  85132

Location for Guest Lodging, and, Friday and Saturday meals and conference talks.

CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

THURSDAY – DECEMBER 3

3:30 pm   Registration Opens

4:30 pm   Vespers [Winery]

6:00 pm   Dinner

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 pm   Breakfast

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

12:45 pm   Lecture 3: Archimandrite Savas: Apologetics of the Saints: By Their Life, Speech, Mission and Martyrdom

1:15 pm   Short Break

1:30 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

2:15 pm Lunch Break

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

6:30 pm Dinner

7:15 pm Lecture 4: Fr. Peter Heers: The Ethos of Orthodox Apologetics

7:45 pm Lecture 5: Monk Filotheu Bǎlan: St. Cleopa: the Apogee of Orthodox Apologetics

8:15 pm Lecture 6: Fr. John Whiteford: Hieromonk Seraphim: Apologetics of the Heart & Super-Correctness

8:45 pm Q&A / Round Table: Frs. John Valadez, Patrick Mitchell, Seraphim Holland, ~ Salt and Light That They May Glorify Our Father: What is our Goal Online?

SATURDAY – DECEMBER 5

8:00 am Breakfast 

9:00 am Lecture 7: Constantine Zalalas: Monks & Martyrs: The Necessity of Hesychastic Prayer and Ascestic Struggle to be an Apologist

9:30 am Lecture 8: Jay Dyer: The Right (and Wrong) Way to Do Orthodox Apologetics

10:00 am Short Break

10:15 am Q&A / ROUND TABLE: + Alex Sorin, D.P. Harry, B.M. Langlois, Ben (Cleave): The Layman’s Guide to The Orthodox Way of Online Witness

11:00 am  Apologia 2026 Reprise: Fr. Sebastian Craffey, Fr. Patrick Mitchell, Fr. Turbo Qualls, 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 the Green Tree Inn, 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:  March 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)").