Saint Kosmas Conference Reviews

SIX Years of bringing people together to create a space for engaging discussion and meaningful fellowship in service to the growth of Orthodox education

I am really dumbfounded by this conference. Dumbfounded! I am so thrilled! In my 25 years as a priest I’ve never seen anything like this. The more that this love spreads like fire amongst the Orthodox in America, the more good can take place in our lives. Because to embrace parenting and the education of our children is a path to repentance and sanctity. And I can only dream of the good that can take place in our children’s lives and in their formation to be near God, nourished in Truth, and witnesses to our culture.

— Archpriest Josiah Trenham
(St. Andrew Orthodox Church, Antiochian Archdiocese, Riverside, California)

The Saint Kosmas Conference was very impressive in the number of its participants and the manner in which it was organized. Orthodox homeschoolers gathered from across many states and many jurisdictions to meet and learn, to gain support for their cause and, sometimes unbeknownst to themselves, to give encouragement to others. The organizers thoroughly understood the needs of the participants, from preschoolers to parent and grandparent home educators, as seen by the youth activities for children and teenagers and, of course, the rich program of lectures and workshops for adults. The Saint Kosmas Conference is highly recommended for those desiring to provide a strong Orthodox formation for their children, are looking for a community in which to share common goals, or are searching for various resources to augment their home education.

— Archpriest Paul Volmensky
(Holy Ascension Russian Orthodox Church, ROCOR, Sacramento, California)

We, at CLRC, are very pleased to be in partnership with the Saint Kosmas Conference in the important work of providing resources, inspiration, and training for families and schools that are immersed in the work of Orthodox education. The Saint Kosmas Conferences provide an invaluable space for discussion, prayer, and community among a wide variety of people who are deeply committed to the task of Orthodox education. It’s been a joy to meet up with CLRC teachers and students with whom I’ve worked online for years, and to forge relationships with new friends and colleagues as well!

— Anne Van Fossen
Founder and Chief Academic Officer of CLRC

The thing that excites me about the Saint Kosmas Conference is the sense that so many people are rethinking education, when it is widely known that we need to do just that. Orthodoxy is a great gift to America, and one of the ways it can reach most deeply into American society and communities is by fortifying the family through home education. I saw this taken seriously at the Saint Kosmas Conference and look forward to growing from that discussion in the years to come.

— Andrew Kern
(founder and president of CiRCE Institute)

Glory to Jesus Christ!

I often encourage pilgrimages, retreats, nature-oriented vacations, and conferences. This conference—which was located in the ruggedly beautiful foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains of California—was a perfect blend and a surprisingly refreshing time. My highlights in this ascendant setting were the many pious, eager, and loving young families; tasty, nourishing meals appropriate for the fast; the prayerful chanting before and after meals; well-planned, informative, and truly Orthodox lectures and workshops; a rich selection of appropriate vendors; many encouraging conversations; joyous tears during lectures; and lots of new friendships. I strongly encourage anyone who takes their educational responsibility for their children seriously to attend future conferences.

May it be blessed!

— Fr. Noah Bushelli
(St. Philip Orthodox Church, Souderton, Pennsylvania; Director of the Antiochian Archdiocese Department of Homeschooling)

With much hesitancy, we booked our place in the 2021 Saint Kosmas Orthodox Education Conference. “Our children are older...and so indifferent. They’re probably not going to meet anyone their age…Who are we kidding? We’ve never really homeschooled the right way, much less in a truly pious Orthodox manner…We really have no business being there.” These were some of the thoughts that recycled through my mind. How wrong I was to have entertained such tormenting notions! I could write three separate essays: one on the terrific accommodations at the Gold Canyon Golf Resort, another on the wonderfully prepared Lenten meals, and yet a more elaborate description of the UN-BE-LIEVE-A-BLE and PRICE-LESS lectures. The entire conference turned out to be an incredible experience of encouragement, recreation, recalibration, conviction, and tremendous joy. I was especially delighted to visit each one of the vendors; so powerfully equipped! In the end, the children had a fantastic time. On the drive back to Los Angeles, the children expressed that this conference is the place they found true, life-long friends. I was blown away but didn’t show it; I just thanked God. If you think this conference is not for you, you’re wrong! This conference is for everybody, and as a former LAUSD middle school teacher, I mean EVERYBODY! As I write this, there are three teenagers checking in on me, inquiring if I’ve yet signed us up for the 2022 conference. Now that’s an endorsement if I ever saw one! My deepest appreciation goes out to all the unseen hands that make this super-production happen. Thank you!

— Claudia Zait
(attendee of the 5th Saint Kosmas Conference, 2021)

I do not have enough words to express our excitement and happiness when we discovered that a conference such as this exists. Living in a society hostile to family ideals, moral values, and true beliefs, one may get a little discouraged and concerned about the future well-being of our children. The Saint Kosmas Conference is like a refreshing oasis in the middle of a deep spiritual drought, a beacon of hope, and a reminder of our Church’s great power to protect our youth and to shape society.

The quality of the speakers is top-notch and the messages delivered are well beyond the informative level. The speakers’ wisdom is life-changing, and I find myself watching their presentations over and over, months after the conference ended. The organization is spotless, the organizers are fantastic, everything is well-taught and being well taken care of. The children are entertained with lots of fun activities, the location is beautiful, and the evenings are planned so that everyone gets a chance to make new friends, bond with like-minded people, and strengthen their faith.

I strongly recommend the Saint Kosmas Conference to everyone! It was by far my family’s favorite activity of the year, and we will always look forward to the next conference!

— Gabriel Dumitrescu
(attendee of the 4th Saint Kosmas Conference, 2019)

It was with such joy that Fr. Josiah and I, together with our youngest girls, were able to attend the Saint Kosmas Conference. We were so uplifted and reinvigorated in our homeschooling journey. So many pertinent issues and struggles were addressed with very helpful and competent suggestions. The conference being held near the monastery was an added bonus for the prayers and uplift there! I went home “full” and encouraged with a lot to digest! We brought our little girls (ages 9 and 4) who had the time of their life! The kids program was very well organized with both fun and educational activities to occupy their time while we were in seminars. The girls made new friends and had a terrific time. As a matter of fact, they keep asking me when we will go to the next conference! Thanks for all the love and effort that went into this educational and informative weekend!

— Presvytera Catherine Trenham (Riverside, California)

My family traveled to the Saint Kosmas Conference in California from the East Coast, not only for the conference itself, but because of the location’s proximity to Yosemite and other natural wonders, which we visited as well. As someone just starting out in homeschooling, I yearn for the fellowship of like-minded adults who are striving and praying for similar things for their children, and I experienced that at the Saint Kosmas Conference. My recollection of the days spent there is that it felt like heaven, and I was sad to leave. The visits to the monastery, free-play of the children, communal lenten meals, campfires at night, and the spiritually nourishing content of the lectures and talks... I left inspired, enriched, rested, and longing to return. I’m eager to explore all of the newly discovered Orthodox homeschooling resources that were presented there — many of them from companies created by other homeschooling families to support this difficult quest. I look forward to fellowship there with Orthodox homeschooling families in the future.

— Elyzaveta Bateham
(attendee from Savannah, Georgia)

The Saint Kosmas Conference in April 2018 exceeded my expectations a hundred fold. I originally signed up hoping to get a few tips on how to better plan my busy days and also to meet other large homeschooling families in California (I have six kids). Instead, the lectures focused on how to form my children’s souls and, consequently, mine. My husband and I listened to Fr. Demetrios Carellas’ lectures encouraging us to know the Mother of God personally, to seek her prayers and protection, and to increase our prayer lives. His incredible ability to speak passionately about raising our children in the Faith in a radical way, without a hint of condemnation, only love and mercy, touched us in a way that we have not been touched in many years. All of the doubts about why we are homeschooling our kids, were replaced with sense of peace and a renewed confidence that we can do it.

We also were blessed with opportunities to listen to moms and dads who have successfully homeschooled their children all the way through high school. Many of these families were large. Their words of wisdom and advice were encouraging and challenging. The message was that homeschooling looks different for each family.

I have six children ranging in age from 2 years to 14 years. They all had an absolute blast at the conference. They played outdoor tagging games, archery, hiking, they completed art projects, sang songs around the campfire, prayed together, and played countless chess matches in the dining hall. They did not want to leave and cannot wait to come back.

— Mary Jackson
(attendee of the 2nd Saint Kosmas Conference, 2018)

The Saint Kosmas Conference was a breath of fresh air for our family! We met incredible families at this conference who encouraged and inspired us. The speakers were delightful and went beyond the surface topics of homeschooling to the deeper aspects of our journey. Everything was beautifully organized and the food was delicious. All six of us came home talking about what a beautiful, fun, and enriching time it was!

— John & Grace Cosby
(attendees of the 1st Saint Kosmas Conference 2017, serving in the ministry of Project Mexico, Tijuana, Mexico)

We have homeschooled for many years not knowing the amount of support there is within the Orthodox community for homeschooling. Having attended the Saint Kosmas Conference we are now rejuvenated and energized to not only teach our kids, but to continue with their spiritual, character, and theological formation. We enjoyed it so thoroughly we will be going each time. We would highly encourage others to attend.

— Ryan & Kim Swehla (Modesto, California)

I attended the first Saint Kosmas Conference with four of my children. All the aspects of the conference—the proximity to the monastery, the speakers, participants, activities for the children, vendors, and fast-friendly meals—combined to make our four days a time of refreshment and renewal. What set this conference apart was the emphasis on the goal of our homeschool journey: raising saints. The lectures, prayers and chanting, material offered from the vendors, and the various activities for the children offered a truly Orthodox approach to parenting and education. My children and I look forward to attending again.

— Stephanie Johnson
(attendee of the 1st Saint Kosmas Conference, 2017)

2022 Saint Kosmas Conference
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