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Antiochian Mid-America Diocese Gathers More Than 400 Faithful for 2026 Parish Life Conference
Denver conference centered on the theme of the "Royal Priesthood," featuring worship, youth competitions, workshops, fellowship, and service projects across four days.
DENVER — More than 400 clergy and faithful from the Antiochian Diocese of Wichita and Mid-America and beyond gathered at St. John Chrysostom Antiochian Orthodox Church in Lakewood, Colorado, for the 2026 Parish Life Conference, held June 10–13 under the theme, "You Shall Be to Me a Royal Priesthood and a Holy Nation" (Exodus 19:6).
The conference was presided over by Archimandrite Calinic (Berger), Archiepiscopal Vicar of the diocese, while host pastor Archpriest Seraphim Gisetti welcomed participants from across the region. Throughout the four-day event, keynote presentations, workshops, homilies, and liturgical services explored the calling of Orthodox Christians to live as a "royal priesthood" and bear witness to Christ in the modern world.
Presbytera Dr. Jeannie Constantinou delivered the keynote address, "Actualizing the Royal Priesthood," and also led one of several educational workshops. Additional sessions focused on youth ministry, Christian education, and Orthodox life in Mid-America.
The conference featured a full schedule of youth activities, including oratorical and Bible Bowl competitions. Isabel Sayegh of St. Elias Church in Austin, Texas, won the senior oratorical division and will represent the diocese at the Archdiocesan Festival later this month, while Bible Bowl champions from St. George Church in El Paso, Texas, also advanced to the national competition.
Teen SOYO members assembled 100 hygiene kits for the Jefferson County Action Center as part of a community service project, while younger children participated in crafts, games, and educational activities through the conference's Kids Club.
The gathering also included meetings of Antiochian Women, Young Adult Ministry, Orthodox Christian Fellowship, and the Clergy Wives Sisterhood, along with evening fellowship events, a diocesan choir festival, and a traditional hafli celebrating the close of the conference.
The conference concluded Saturday with a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy concelebrated by 53 clergy from seven states. During the closing banquet, the conference icon was formally passed to St. John the Forerunner Antiochian Orthodox Church in Cedar Park, Texas, which will host the 2027 Parish Life Conference.
Previously, the UOJ reported that Metr. Saba published a reflection on the legacy of St. Raphael of Brooklyn.
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