About Our Speakers
Clergy Synaxis Speakers
Fr Kyle Parrott embraced the Orthodox faith while at university and later earned his Master of Divinity and Master of Theology degrees from St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary. He was assigned in 2017 as rector of All Saints of Alaska Orthodox Church in Victoria, BC, and he is also the Director of Communications for the Orthodox Church in America.
Dn Seraphim Rohlin is the Director of Analytics for the Orthodox Studies Institute where he studies statistical trends in the Orthodox Church. His and OSI director Matthew Namee’s work has been widely publicized by Fr Andrew Damick. He also hosts the popular podcasts Universal History and The Great Tales. He serves as deacon in the OCA Diocese of the South.
Assembly Speakers
Elissa Bjeletich Davis is an author and podcaster whose work is focused on raising Orthodox children and on sanctification through loving service. Her relevant work includes The Art of Myrrhbearing, Blueprints for the Little Church, Welcoming the Christ Child, Tending the Garden of Our Hearts, Raising Saints, and ‘Dear Parents, You’re Not Alone’. Find information on Elissa and her work at www.elissabjeletichdavis.com.
Fr Anthony Gilbert, PhD, is an Adjunct Professor of Literature & History at Hellenic College-Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology and Visiting Professor of Christian Literature at St Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary. Fr Anthony was formerly the headmaster of Christ the Savior Academy, an Orthodox classical school in Wichita, KS, and he now serves as the priest of St George Antiochian Orthodox Church in Grand Rapids, MI. He is the co-editor of Into the Light: Classical Education and Orthodox Christianity.
Archdeacon Joseph Matusiak is the Director of Suprasl: A World Fellowship of Orthodox Youth, based in Poland.
Fr Jean-Baptiste (Penner) is a hieromonk of the Hermitage of the Annunciation, also known as Goose Chase Monastery, in New Germany, Nova Scotia. The Hermitage of the Annunciation was established in 2003 by the abbot Schema-Igumen Luc. Find out about the monastery at https://goosechasemonastery.ca.
Joel Thiessen, PhD, is Professor of Sociology at Ambrose University and director of the Flourishing Congregations Institute. He is one of Canada’s leading sociologists of religion, specializing in religion in Canada, religious nones, congregations, millennials, and more recently, death and dying. He has (co)authored 6 books and over 20 articles, plus delivered over 135 invited public lectures to scholars and church leaders across Canada and the United States. Find out about his work at www.joelthiessen.ca.
Dn Gregory Wiebe, PhD, is Adjunct Professor of Theology at Canadian Mennonite University in Winnipeg, where he also works in the office of the Vice-President Academic. His research focuses on early Christian understandings of angels as they relate to the liturgical assembly, iconography, ecclesiastical structures, and political theology. He is the author of Fallen Angels in the Theology of St Augustine, and he co-hosts the podcast Men Among Demons. Dn Gregory serves at St Nicholas Orthodox Church in Narol, near Winnipeg.