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St. Nicholas Church Hosts Record-Setting Miami Parish Life Conference
A record-setting Parish Life Conference in Arkansas brought together worship, service, education, and fellowship for Orthodox faithful across the Southeast.
SPRINGDALE, AR — More than 360 clergy and faithful from across the Antiochian Diocese of Miami and the Southeast gathered in northwest Arkansas from June 10–13 for the 2026 Parish Life Conference, hosted by St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in Springdale.
The annual gathering, which drew 368 registrants—the highest attendance in recent years—combined worship, fellowship, education, youth activities, and diocesan meetings. His Grace Bp. Nicholas was present throughout the conference, offering pastoral guidance and participating in the services and events that marked the four-day gathering.
One of the conference’s most significant moments came during Saturday’s Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, when Bp. Nicholas ordained Lewis Fisher of St. Raphael Orthodox Church in Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina, to the Holy Diaconate. The ordination was celebrated by clergy and faithful from throughout the diocese.
The conference also featured keynote presentations from Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick and Fr. Stephen De Young, hosts of the popular Lord of Spirits podcast. Their discussion on living an Orthodox life prompted extensive audience participation and discussion. Youth activities included the Bible Bowl competition, service projects at the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank, and the Oratorical Festival, where young participants reflected on faith and Scripture.
Additional highlights included the induction of 12 new members into the Order of St. Ignatius, social events, music, and fellowship. Organizers credited clergy, volunteers, parish leaders, and participants for helping make the conference a successful celebration of Orthodox life in the Diocese of Miami and the Southeast.
Previously, the UOJ reported that the Ludwell Orthodox Fellowship announced its annual conference in Kentucky.
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