JOHNSTOWN, PA -  The Chancery is pleased to announce that  registration for the 2015 College Conferences is now open.  The conferences will be held during Christmas Break in two locations:  St. Nicholas Ranch in Dunlap, Calif  and  Antiochian Village in Bolivar, Pa.;  each centering on Orthodox Christian Fellowship's (OCF) theme for the year - "Modern Martyrs: Witnesses of the Word."

This College Conference theme will address our calling to be martyrs for Christ by being witnesses of the Faith. As college students living in a secularized world, there are numerous opportunities for us as Orthodox Christians to be witnesses/martyrs for Christ on college campuses: in the dorm room, on social media, and in every aspect of our lives. This theme will also address the current-day persecution of Christians and provide some insights into how we can best aid our Christian brothers and sisters across the globe.

Annually, nearly 400 college students from across North America participate in College Conference to learn and grow closer in their Orthodox Faith in an exemplary display of pan-Orthodox fellowship. Each four-day conference includes a prominent keynote speaker, along with workshops led by clergy and lay leaders who are experts in their related fields.  

Last year, as in the past several  years, Bishop Gregory was joined by a number of  Diocesan College Students at College Conference East who had an awesome experience! Click Here To Read Reflections On Their Experience   This year, the Nun Vassa [Larin] will deliver the keynote address.  Workshop Speakers will include:  Steven Christoforou – Director of the Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries and the Office of Camping Ministries of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America; V. Rev. Fr. Timothy Hojnicki – Rector of Holy Apostles Orthodox Mission in Mechanicsburg, PA; V. Rev. Fr. Stephen Loposky – Director of Camp Nazareth and Pastor of Saints Cyril and Methodius Church in Mercer, PA; Fr. Alexandros Petrides and Pres. Stephanie Petrides and Dr. Timothy Patitsas – Assistant Professor of Ethics at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology

This year, as in the past, full scholarships and partial reimbursement of travel expenses to College Conference East are being offered to our (ACROD)  Diocesan Students on a first-come-first-serve basis to encourage more students to attend. Students are urged to register online ASAP on the OCF Website.  Students are required to fill out the on-line scholarship application and pay the $150.00 deposit, which will be refunded when all Diocesan Students register.  To register,  students attending college conference for the first time need  to register for an ocf events registration account. Returning attendees may log on with their existing ocf events registration account.

When registered, students are asked to contact Fr. Stephen Loposky, Diocesan Youth Director at campnazareth@acrod.org  or 607-329-2844 BEFORE making travel arrangements. Diocesan students are kindly asked to register ASAP as with each passing year registration tends to close quickly due to the popularity of this conference.

Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF) is the official collegiate campus ministry program under the North American Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops. Our mission is to support fellowships on college campuses, whose members experience and witness to the Orthodox Christian Church through community life, prayer, service to others and study of the Faith. Our headquarters is located in Brookline, Mass. and supports more than 300 local university chapters across North America. In addition, we provide a variety of thoughtful and innovative programming, including regional training, annual conferences, and domestic and international service learning programs.