Schedule

Families are invited to an informal, BYODinner gathering on Friday, October 16th. More details to come…

Please note that we do not announce specific youth activities in advance, as they may change due to weather and volunteer availability. Youth should anticipate needing close-toed shoes and clothes they can move around in comfortably.

Saturday, October 17th

8:00am - Check-in
9:00am - Morning Prayers
9:45am - Youth Activities
10:00am - Adult Keynote with Dr. Timothy Patitsas
11:30am - Break
Noon - Lunch
1:00pm - Family Contra Dance
2:00pm - Youth Activities
- Adult Q&A with Dr. Timothy Patitsas and Fr. Justin Slaughter-Doty

3:10pm - Adult Breakout Sessions
4:00pm - Social Hour
5:00pm - Vespers
6:00pm - Dinner

Registration costs

• Family Registration: $25

• Adult Admission: $20

• Youth (5-17) Admission: $20

• Child (1-4) Admission: $5

• Infant (0): Free

• Gluten free meal add-on: $8

• Late registration (after September 15): $10 per family

  Financial Aid

  We know that as homeschool families, you already make huge sacrifices for your kids’ education. We’re committed to not letting finances prevent families from attending our events. There are two ways to receive financial aid:

  • Volunteer to help! We can always use an extra set of hands in a number of areas: pre-conference prep, assisting with youth activities, and so on. When you register, be sure to list how you’re willing to help, and a discount will be applied to your total.

  • Scholarships! If you are unable to help or need additional assistance, email programs@saintemmelia.com with a brief introduction. Remember: we want to help everyone be able to attend our events. Don’t hesitate to reach out—scholarships are available for anyone!

Remember: Registration closes September 15th, and late registration closes September 29th. Don’t miss out—register now!

Speakers & Workshop Leaders

Dr. Timothy Patitsas

Timothy G. Patitsas has been the Assistant Professor of Ethics at Holy Cross since the Fall of 2005. In 2019 he published The Ethics of Beauty, an attempt to recover one of the most ancient emphases of Orthodox spirituality, which is the priority given to combating the sensual rather than the intellectual passions. The book shows how this emphasis translates into a consoling and liberating Beauty-first approach to Orthodox ethics and life. The work also presents ethical, theological, and scriptural definitions of traumatic experience with a view to aiding recovery, and has been incorporated into individualized treatment plans in Veterans Court.

Prof. Patitsas serves on the boards of The Russian Orphan Opportunity Fund and The Road to Emmaus Foundation. He is also the co-founder of Beauty First Films and a contributing designer of its annual Liturgical Seasons Calendar. Dr. Patitsas will give the keynote address and Q&A.

Anthony Linderman

Anthony is the author of A Year in the Company of Angels from Ancient Faith Publishing. He was raised as an OCMC missionary kid in Albania and is adjunct faculty at Hellenic College, an organic farmer, oral storyteller, English Literature teacher, and graduate of Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology. His interests include Arthuriana, fairy tales, and mythic labyrinths. He currently resides with his wife, Christina, and their son in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Anthony will be leading youth activities.

Natalia Tzobanakis

Nattalia is experienced religious educator, certified by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, and volunteering for over ten years as a Church School instructor and coordinator in Union, New Jersey. She is also a trained artist and certified teacher of Greek as a second/foreign language. Natalie was born in the United States and spent most of her life in Athens, Greece. She first studied medicine, and then graphic design, illustration, and Byzantine iconography. ince 2012, she has lived in New Jersey with her husband, George, and their three children, Eleni, Antonios, and Loukas. Natalie will be leading youth activities.

Vendors and Sponsors