2026 Pan-Orthodox Conference

"ORTHODOXY AND NATURE"

June 4th – June 7th, 2026 at Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church
Butte, Montana

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Embark on a spiritual journey amid the picturesque landscapes of Montana at the annual MontaNIKA Conference, hosted by the vibrant Orthodox community of Holy Trinity Orthodox Church in Butte, MT. Guided by the esteemed His Grace, Bishop Maxim, MontaNIKA has evolved into a cherished tradition, inviting you to join in the excitement this year.

Why MontaNIKA?

More than just a conference, MontaNIKA is a celebration of Orthodox faith, community, and the unique allure of Montana as a haven for spiritual growth. Born out of the growing demand for a sacred space to share, explore, and foster Orthodox values, this event has become an annual pilgrimage for those seeking a deeper understanding of Orthodoxy and an opportunity for growth in this beautiful state.

Nature

With the official blessing and guidance of His Grace, Bishop Maxim, we are proud to announce this year’s Orthodox MontaNIKA conference. The theme of the MontaNIKA conference for 2026 has been carefully chosen to be “Orthodoxy and Nature.” We invite you to join us next year to learn the meaning of Orthodox nature from the very best scholars, speakers, and Orthodox clergy. Explore the various topics and issues related to the Orthodox view of nature, which includes ecology and the environment, creation, the nature of communion and hospitality, the nature of man and women, and the nature of humanity in light of the rising and threatening ideologies of transhumanism. Discover the true meaning of nature in all its various components and aspects, from an Orthodox view.

The Beauty of Montana

Montana’s natural beauty, expansive landscapes, and peaceful surroundings set the stage for an immersive Orthodox experience. The conference not only delves into theological discussions but also allows attendees to connect with the wonders of Montana, offering a unique blend of spiritual enlightenment and appreciation for the state’s scenic charm.

Embrace Montana’s Potential

Montana provides an ideal setting for those interested in contributing to the growth of Orthodoxy, not just locally but nationally. The freedom to nurture and expand Orthodoxy in Montana serves as a template for the rest of the country, making MontaNIKA a unique opportunity to explore the potential of Orthodox life in the state.

What to expect:

Theme: Orthodoxy and Nature
Speakers: An incredible lineup of speakers.
Culinary Experience: Enjoy meals prepared by our professional cook, featuring local Montana meats.

Music Hospitality Night: A live bluegrass band will give you a taste of Montana music, as well as hearing from the band Dirtpoor Robins.
Monastery Visit: Explore our local monastery with organized tours.

Speakers

Metropolitan Jonah

Metropolitan Jonah Paffhausen was elected Metropolitan (Primate) of the Orthodox Church in America in 2008. He was President of both St Vladimir’s and St Tikhon’s Theological Seminaries. In 2012, Metropolitan Jonah stepped down from that position. He was then transferred to the Russian Church Abroad in 2015. Metropolitan Jonah is currently the abbot of St. Demetrius Orthodox Monastery and rector of St. Herman Orthodox Church in Stafford, VA. His educational background includes a B.A. in Anthropology from the University of California, Santa Cruz, a M.Div. from St Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, as well as a M.Th., in Dogmatics from St. Vladimir’s, and an Honorary D.D., Nashotah House Theological Seminary.

Protodeacon Brian Patrick Mitchell

Protodeacon Brian Patrick Mitchell is a former soldier, journalist, and speechwriter. He was for many years the Washington Bureau Chief of Investor’s Business Daily and is the author of six books on politics and religion, including Origen’s Revenge: The Greek and Hebrew Roots of Christian Thinking on Male and Female (Pickwick, 2021), The Disappearing Deaconess: Why the Church Once Had Deaconesses and Then Stopped Having Them (Eremía, 2021), and Eight Ways to Run the Country (Praeger, 2006), which has been used to teach politics at Yale and elsewhere. Dr. Mitchell earned his Ph.D. in theology from the University of Winchester in the United Kingdom. He has appeared on dozens of radio and television shows and has been a guest speaker at Harvard University, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Connecticut, Catholic University of America, George Mason University, Rose Hill College, and Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary. He is a convert to the Orthodox Church and a protodeacon of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia, attached to St. John the Baptist Russian Orthodox Cathedral in Washington, D.C.

Father Deacon Ananias

Fr. Deacon Ananias Sorem, PhD is CEO, Founder, and President of Patristic Faith, as well as the Founder and Organizer of Orthodox MontaNika. Father is an Orthodox apologist and teaches Philosophy at Carroll College. He serves with Fr. Russell Rodoicich at Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church in Butte, MT. Fr. Deacon has a BA in Liberal Arts from Thomas Aquinas College, together with an MA (Honors) and PhD in Philosophy (Epistemology; Philosophy of Science; Philosophy of Mind) from University College Dublin. His current academic work focuses on philosophical theology, epistemology, and the philosophy of science. Father is the author of several articles and peer-reviewed papers. He is also known for his YouTube channel, the Norwegian Nous (now Patristic Faith), where he provides content on theology, apologetics, logic, and philosophy.

Prof. Seraphim (Bruce) Foltz

Dr. Bruce V. Foltz is emeritus professor of philosophy at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida. Foltz draws on the history of philosophy (especially Ancient Greek, Byzantine, and Russian philosophy). He is the author of "Inhabiting the Earth: Heidegger, Environmental Ethics, and the Metaphysics of Nature," "Toward an ecology of transfiguration: Orthodox Christian Perspectives on Environment, Nature: Environmental Philosophy and the Holy Beauty of the Visible, " and "Rethinking Nature: Essays in Environmental Philosophy."

Dr. David Patrick Harry

David Patrick Harry, PhD, is a scholar of religion and philosophy whose research and public work explore the intersection of metaphysics, theology, and cultural critique. Holding a doctorate in Religious Studies, he specializes in the theological analysis of modern ideological and technological movements-particularly transhumanism and post-secular thought-through the interpretive lens of classical Christian philosophy and Eastern Orthodox theology. His work stands at the crossroads of intellectual history, patristic thought, and contemporary sociocultural analysis. His writings and lectures bridge the academy and the public square. He is the founder and director of Logos Academy, a digital institute for philosophical and theological formation. Logos Academy is dedicated to cultivating intellectual rigor, spiritual discernment, and cultural literacy in an age of moral confusion and metaphysical collapse.

Tony Bomkamp

Tony Bomkamp is a Botanist, Wetlands Ecologist, and Educator with his undergraduate degree in Biology and Master’s Degrees in Environmental Studies and Theology. For the last 32 years Tony has worked in environmental consulting in southern California where he wears a variety of hats: botanist, wetland ecologist, wildlife biologist, and habitat restoration specialist. He has developed implemented successful habitat restoration plans for a number of endangered plants and animals and their habitats. While working in environmental consulting Tony also served as adjunct faculty for the California State University, Fullerton Graduate Environmental Studies Program from 1993 to 2021, where he developed and taught courses on Endangered Species, Wetlands, Conservation of Migratory Birds and Habitat Restoration. Tony retired from teaching in 2021 and from environmental consulting at the end of 2025 to be able to devote his time to writing for and working with the Orthodox Church Prison Ministry and education of inquirers at his parish Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Church in Meridian Idaho. Tony and his wife Katie are avid birders and continue watch birds wherever they travel and have turned their backyard into a wonderful garden and a bird sanctuary.

John Heers

John Heers is the former History Chair at Seacrest Country Day School and a co-founder of First Things Foundation. John worked overseas as a water resource manager in Mali, serving the Peace Corps for nearly three years. He studied history and education at Columbia University, earning a Masters Degree in 1993. By 1995 John was once again overseas working in the Georgian Republic overseeing the delivery of emergency relief to widows suffering the effects of the war in Abkhazia. After nearly nine years teaching in the South Bronx and Harlem in New York City, John took his family of five (now six) to Haiti where he and his wife assisted and taught at a tiny Orthodox Christian church in Port au Prince. Upon return he was invited to assist in the creation of a new independent high school, Seacrest Country Day School. John now works full-time for FTF. John also owns and runs the Keipi Restaurant in Greensville, SC that specializes in Georgian Supras.

Schedule of Events

6/03 Wednesday
NO OFFICIAL CONFERENCE EVENTS ON WEDNESDAY

6/04 Thursday
Opening Banquet Dinner

6/05 Friday
Day 1 of Speakers

Morning Prayers
8:30am - 9:00am
Fr Deacon Ananias
9:15am - 10:30am
Tony Bomkamp
10:45am - 12:00pm
Lunch
12:30pm - 2:00pm
Dr. Seraphim Foltz
2:00pm - 3:30pm
Optional Afternoon Tours
3:30pm - 6:30pm
Explore Butte for dinner
Guests are on their own
Special Dinner for VIPs
5:00pm - 7:00pm
Women's Group Dinner Night
4:00pm - 7:00pm
Live Bluegrass Band and Evening Hospitality
7:00pm - 10:00pm

6/06 Saturday
Day 2 of Speakers

Morning Prayers
8:30am - 9:00am
His Eminence, Metropolitan Jonah
9:15am - 10:45am
John Heers
11:00am - 12:15pm
Lunch
12:30pm - 2:00pm
Proto Deacon Patrick Mitchell
2:00pm - 3:15pm
Dr. David Patrick Harry
3:30pm - 4:45pm
Freetime and Optional Activities
4:45pm - 5:30pm
Vespers
5:30pm - 6:30pm
Closing Banquet Dinner
6:45pm - 8:30pm
Live Music from Dirtpoor Robins
8:30pm - 10:30pm

6/07 Sunday
Church & Conference Close

Links and Helpful Resources:

Price and Registration

Early-Bird Registration (before March 20^th): $170
Regular Registration (after March 20^th): $190
VIP Ticket (includes MontaNika Swag-bag, VIP table with clergy, Friday VIP Dinner with speakers, and much
more): $400 (limited to only 20 VIP tickets)
Children under 12 are free; Orthodox priests and their families are free (voluntary donation), but they need to register early, since there is limited capacity.
Please note that speaker lineup is subject to change at any time due to unforeseen circumstances, scheduling conflicts, or other reasons beyond our control.
Free camping option available.
Hotel discount provided with our partner hotel.
TICKETS ARE NOT CURRENTLY AVAIBLE FOR PURCHASE AT THIS TIME.
NO REFUNDS

Live Professional Bluegrass band, "Well Beaten Path," to provide a concert for our Music Hospitality Night on Friday, followed by another local Bluegrass band later that evening!

Orthodox MontaNIKA Sponsors

Questions?

Send us a note.

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