Ancient Faith Ministries

### Context Profile for Ancient Faith Ministries

1. **Organization Mission & Cause**:
   - **Mission**: Ancient Faith Ministries aims to promote the Orthodox Christian faith through various media, including podcasts, books, and community events. Their mission emphasizes nurturing spiritual growth and providing resources that support Orthodox Christian families and individuals.
   - **Cause**: They focus on educating and engaging Orthodox Christians, particularly families with young children, to deepen their understanding and practice of the faith.

2. **Type of Activities**:
   - **Events**: Regular community gatherings such as "Little Flock Story Hour," which includes storytelling, songs, and fellowship for toddlers and their parents.
   - **Fundraising Campaigns**: Various campaigns to support their media initiatives and community programs.
   - **Community Programs**: Educational resources, podcasts, and family-oriented events designed to foster a sense of community and spiritual growth.

3. **Tone of Voice**:
   - The tone is **friendly**, **welcoming**, and **inspiring**. Communications are designed to create a sense of community and belonging, particularly for families. The language is accessible and engaging, making it suitable for a broad audience, especially parents and young children.

4. **Emoji Usage**:
   - The organization uses emojis sparingly, primarily to add a friendly touch to communications. For example, a wink emoji (😉) is used in event descriptions to create a light-hearted and approachable tone. Emoji usage is not frequent but is strategically placed to enhance engagement.

5. **Key Facts**:
   - **Founding Info**: Ancient Faith Ministries has been established to support Orthodox Christian communities through various media and educational initiatives.
   - **Scale**: The organization has conducted 6 forms and 21 email campaigns, indicating an active engagement strategy with their audience.
   - **Impact Metrics**: While specific metrics are not detailed on the website, the emphasis on community involvement and family engagement suggests a focus on building a supportive network for Orthodox Christians.
   - **Volunteer Info**: Information on volunteering opportunities is not explicitly mentioned on the website, but community events imply a potential for volunteer involvement.

6. **Writing Guidelines**:
   - **Style**: Use a conversational and friendly tone that resonates with families and individuals. 
   - **Structure**: Keep content clear and organized, using headings and bullet points for easy reading. 
   - **Engagement**: Incorporate questions or prompts that invite interaction and community participation.
   - **Clarity**: Avoid jargon; use simple language that is accessible to all ages, particularly when addressing families with young children.
   - **Visuals**: Consider using images or emojis to enhance engagement, particularly in social media and event promotions.

This context profile provides a comprehensive understanding of Ancient Faith Ministries, enabling AI assistants to generate personalized and relevant content that aligns with the organization's mission and audience engagement strategies.

LXCL:Upgrade your previously-reserved room from a single to a double. Only available to guests who are already registered.

Upgrade from single to double

LXCL:Upgrade your previously-reserved room room from a double to a triple room. Only available to guests who are already registered.

Upgrade from double to triple

LXCL:This ticket includes only meals and sessions for 1 person (no lodging).

Commuter registration

LXCL:This upcharge includes gluten-free meals for 1 person. You must submit your dietary request to Antiochian Village by 10/7/2025 and indicate your intolerance to be accomodated (Celiac, gluten sensitivity, wheat allergy, etc.): <a href="https://www.antiochianvillage.org/special-diet-requests/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" class="lxcl-link" dir="ltr">www.antiochianvillage.org/special-diet-requests/</a> In the questions on the next page, please enter the details for the person who needs the gluten free ticket.

Gluten free ticket

LXCL:This registration is for a private room and bath, all meals, and sessions for 1 person.

Single registration - RESERVED

LXCL:This registration is for a shared private room and bath, all meals, and sessions for 2 people.

Double registration - RESERVED

LXCL:This registration is for a shared private room and bath, all meals, and sessions for 3 people.

Triple registration - RESERVED

LXCL:To join the waitlist for lodging at Antiochian Village, select this ticket and submit your details. Joining the waitlist is free.

Waitlist

LXCL:This registration includes 1 spot on the airport shuttle from Pittsburgh International Airport. The shuttle will depart from the airport at 4:30 PM on Thursday 11/7 and depart from Antiochian Village at 8 AM on Sunday 11/10. You should schedule at least 3.5 hours between the shuttle departure and your flight on Sunday.

Shuttle registration

Speaker/Staff Registration

LXCL:For speakers only. Please reach out to the events@ancientfaith.com for complete information about guest registration.

Speaker Guest ticket

LODGING AT ANTIOCHIAN VILLAGE IS SOLD OUT. Join the wait list for lodging by selecting the free Waitlist ticket below. Commuter registrations (no lodging included) are still available for guests who live locally or plan to find their own lodging locally. Commuter registrations include all meals and programming.&nbsp; If you have a single or double room and would like to add another guest, please email <a data-fr-linked="true" fr-original-style="" href="mailto:ellie@ancientfaith.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: initial; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">events@ancientfaith.com</a>. Changes must be finalized before October 10, 2025. PLEASE NOTE: On &quot;Order Summary,&quot; Zeffy automatically adds a suggested donation in order to keep their platform free for nonprofits, but you may remove this charge completely. Select &quot;Other&quot; and enter 0 to remove the fee.&nbsp;Ancient Faith cannot take responsibility if you do not remove the fee. If you do not remove the fee, Ancient Faith has no way of refunding you and you will need to contact Zeffy directly. Please have your roommate(s)&#39; contact information prepared when you register (email address and phone number). This is essential so all registrants receive important event information. ABOUT THE EVENT The Ancient Faith Women&#39;s Retreat is a reflective and friendly gathering to learn, worship, make friends, and rest at the entrance of the holy Nativity season. The retreat is a four-day event, beginning Thursday evening and concluding after liturgy on Sunday, at the Antiochian Village Conference Center in Bolivar, PA. The theme of our seventh annual women&#39;s retreat is An Embodied Faith. What does it mean to live out our Orthodox Christian faith, in our bodies? How might this be different for us as women? We look forward to exploring these questions and more with four fantastic speakers. SPEAKERS Mother Christophora, Abbess of the Monastery of the Transfiguration in Ellwood City, PAWhat does it mean to give ourselves fully to Christ? In monastic life, body, mind and soul are dedicated to our Lord. What steps enable us to do this? How is monastic life structured and why? Why has this rather odd lifestyle remained consistent for so many centuries? Can non-monastics share in this path of joy and holiness? Dr. Eugenia Constantinou,&nbsp;professor of Biblical studies, host of Search the Scriptures Live! on Ancient Faith Radio, and author of Thinking Orthodox and The Crucifixion of the King of GloryWe were created with a body. We will be raised and judged, punished or glorified in the body. Since the spiritual life emphasizes the soul, why does the body even matter? Is the Christian life merely a set of rules to be followed, lest a judgmental God chastise us from heaven? Are good deeds necessary obligations to be fulfilled for our salvation? What role does the body play in salvation? Fr. Stavros Akrotirianakis, priest of St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church in Tampa, FL and author of Blessed is the Kingdom: Reflections on the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom Our faith journey is meant to be one of encouragement. &nbsp;This session will offer commentary on Encouragement found in the Bible, in Orthodoxy, and how we can encourage one another in our journey to salvation. Laura Jansson, Orthodox Christian doula, childbirth educator, and mother of fourHow to Love your Friends When they&#39;re Expecting &bull; Having a child is a true labor of love; when our friends, daughters-in-law and Godmothers undertake it, they need all the help we can give. Come to this session to learn how best to assist them in their holy work. Be inspired by, and help create, a vision for ministry offering true support for pregnant, birthing and postpartum women in the Church. Sharing Her Life in Christ: Writing the Stories of Women Saints &bull; Laura Jansson, Melinda Johnson, and Rheta Thola &bull; Hear from three authors about learning, researching, and writing the lives of women saints. What&#39;s it like to write about the life of a holy woman in our contemporary life? What did you learn about her, and about yourself, through the creative process? SCHEDULE Check-in for the event opens at 3 pm on Thursday, November 13th. Programming begins with Vespers in the afternoon, followed by dinner and a welcome session. Friday and Saturday will be filled with lecture sessions from our speakers, church services, meals, free time, and other activities (to be announced). On Sunday, November 16th, we will celebrate liturgy and enjoy brunch together. There is no other programming on Sunday. The building will close after check-out at 1:00 pm. A detailed schedule will be released to registrants when finalized.&nbsp; DETAILS Who&rsquo;s Invited: The Ancient Faith Women&rsquo;s Retreat is for Orthodox women who are college age and up! This is an openly, joyfully Orthodox event. You do not have to be Orthodox to attend - if you want to be there, we want you there. Roommates: Ancient Faith does not arrange roommates. You are responsible for finding your roommate and arranging to purchase your registration together. Lodging Information:&nbsp;Lodging for the retreat is located at the conference center, not the camp. Rooms are configured like typical hotel rooms. For more information on accommodations and amenities, click <a fr-original-style="text-decoration-color:initial;user-select:auto;box-sizing:inherit;" href="https://www.antiochianvillage.org/" style="text-decoration-color:initial;user-select:auto;box-sizing:inherit;" target="_blank">here</a>. For Antiochian Village&#39;s Guest Info sheet, click <a fr-original-style="text-decoration-color:initial;user-select:auto;box-sizing:inherit;" href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AARLeu70HXGutDrkE5MBtAMUiPjfDefP/view?usp=drive_link" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color:initial;user-select:auto;box-sizing:inherit;" target="_blank">here</a>. Driving: There is plenty of free parking at Antiochian Village, so if you&rsquo;re within reach, this is a great way to come. Airports: If you intend to fly, your best bet is Pittsburgh International Airport (1.5-2 hours drive from Antiochian Village). There is a closer, smaller airport in Latrobe, but airlines, flights, and transport are limited. Airport Transportation: f you intend to fly, you must organize your own transportation between Antiochian Village and the airport. There is no shuttle or transportation organized by Ancient Faith. Ridesharing apps (Uber, Lyft, etc.) do not serve the area. What to Wear: This retreat is a come-as-you-are party! Please feel free to wear comfortable clothes. The weather will be chilly, so dress accordingly, especially if you&rsquo;re someone who likes to go out for a walk during her free time. We will be celebrating Divine Liturgy together on Sunday morning, so pack &ldquo;church clothes.&quot;Allergies &amp; Dietary Restrictions: Registration includes all meals from Thursday dinner to Sunday brunch. For information on accommodating allergies or a medically necessary diet, please click <a fr-original-style="text-decoration-color:initial;user-select:auto;box-sizing:inherit;" href="http://www.antiochianvillage.org/special-diet-requests/" style="text-decoration-color:initial;user-select:auto;box-sizing:inherit;" target="_blank">here</a>. You must submit via Antiochian Village&#39;s website by October 10, 2025 at 5 PM CT in order to be accommodated. Please submit through Antiochian Village&#39;s form and forward the confirmation to Ellie Bernasol (events@ancientfaith.com)&ndash;thank you!Cancellations &amp; Refunds:&nbsp;Cancellations will be accepted and refunded until October 10, 2025 at 5 PM CT. No refunds will be issued after this date. To cancel and receive a refund, email Ellie Bernasol (events@ancientfaith.com). Ticket Transfers:&nbsp;Tickets are nontransferable. If a ticket holder is unable to attend, they may seek a refund before October 10, 2025 at 5 PM CT. Questions: Please don&rsquo;t hesitate to contact Ellie Bernasol at events<a fr-original-style="color:inherit;text-decoration:inherit;box-sizing:inherit;user-select:auto;" href="mailto:ellie@ancientfaith.com" style="color: inherit; text-decoration: inherit; box-sizing: inherit; user-select: auto;" target="_blank">@ancientfaith.com</a> with any questions. We are looking forward very much to spending time with you in November!

Hello there! Thank you for registering for the 2025 Ancient Faith Women's Retreat at Antiochian Village Conference Center in Bolivar, PA, November 13-16, 2025. We are looking forward to hosting you in November! SCHEDULE Check-in for the event opens at 3 pm on Thursday, November 13th. Programming begins with Vespers in the afternoon, followed by dinner and a welcome session. Friday and Saturday will be filled with lecture sessions from our speakers, church services, meals, free time, and other activities (to be announced). On Sunday, November 16th, we will celebrate liturgy and enjoy brunch together. There is no other programming on Sunday. The building will close after check-out at 1:00 pm. A detailed schedule will be released to registrants when finalized.  DETAILS & FAQs Lodging Information: Lodging for the retreat is located at the conference center, not the camp. Rooms are configured like typical hotel rooms. For more information on accommodations and amenities, click here. For Antiochian Village's Guest Info sheet, click here.Driving: There is plenty of free parking at Antiochian Village, so if you’re within reach, this is a great way to come.Airports: If you intend to fly, your best bet is Pittsburgh International Airport (1.5-2 hours drive from Antiochian Village). There is a closer, smaller airport in Latrobe, but airlines, flights, and transport are limited.Airport Transportation: If you intend to fly, you must organize your own transportation between Antiochian Village and the airport. There is no shuttle or transportation organized by Ancient Faith. Ridesharing apps (Uber, Lyft, etc.) do not serve the area. There will be a carpool sign-up for coordinating with other participants, if you wish.What to Wear: This retreat is a come-as-you-are party! Please feel free to wear comfortable clothes. The weather will be chilly, so dress accordingly, especially if you’re someone who likes to go out for a walk during her free time. We will be celebrating Divine Liturgy together on Sunday morning, so pack “church clothes."Allergies & Dietary Restrictions: Registration includes all meals from Thursday dinner to Sunday brunch. For information on accommodating allergies or a medically necessary diet, please click here. You must submit via Antiochian Village's website by October 10, 2025 at 5 PM CT in order to be accommodated. Please submit through Antiochian Village's form and forward the confirmation to Ellie Bernasol (ellie@ancientfaith.com)–thank you!Cancellations & Refunds: Cancellations will be accepted and refunded until October 10, 2025 at 5 PM CT. No refunds will be issued after this date. To cancel and receive a refund, email Ellie Bernasol (ellie@ancientfaith.com).Ticket Transfers: Tickets are nontransferable. If a ticket holder is unable to attend, they may seek a refund before October 10, 2025 at 5 PM CT.Questions: Please don’t hesitate to contact Ellie Bernasol at ellie@ancientfaith.com with any questions. We are looking forward very much to spending time with you in November! In Christ, Ellie Bernasol Director of Outreach & EventsAncient Faith Ministriesellie@ancientfaith.com

LODGING AT ANTIOCHIAN VILLAGE IS SOLD OUT. Join the wait list for lodging by selecting the free Waitlist ticket below. Commuter registrations (no lodging included) are still available for guests who live locally or plan to find their own lodging locally. Commuter registrations include all meals and programming.  If you have a single or double room and would like to add another guest, please email <a href="mailto:ellie@ancientfaith.com" target="_blank">events@ancientfaith.com</a>. Changes must be finalized before October 10, 2025. PLEASE NOTE: On "Order Summary," Zeffy automatically adds a suggested donation in order to keep their platform free for nonprofits, but you may remove this charge completely. Select "Other" and enter 0 to remove the fee. Ancient Faith cannot take responsibility if you do not remove the fee. If you do not remove the fee, Ancient Faith has no way of refunding you and you will need to contact Zeffy directly. Please have your roommate(s)' contact information prepared when you register (email address and phone number). This is essential so all registrants receive important event information. ABOUT THE EVENT The Ancient Faith Women's Retreat is a reflective and friendly gathering to learn, worship, make friends, and rest at the entrance of the holy Nativity season. The retreat is a four-day event, beginning Thursday evening and concluding after liturgy on Sunday, at the Antiochian Village Conference Center in Bolivar, PA. The theme of our seventh annual women's retreat is An Embodied Faith. What does it mean to live out our Orthodox Christian faith, in our bodies? How might this be different for us as women? We look forward to exploring these questions and more with four fantastic speakers. SPEAKERS Mother Christophora, Abbess of the Monastery of the Transfiguration in Ellwood City, PAWhat does it mean to give ourselves fully to Christ? In monastic life, body, mind and soul are dedicated to our Lord. What steps enable us to do this? How is monastic life structured and why? Why has this rather odd lifestyle remained consistent for so many centuries? Can non-monastics share in this path of joy and holiness? Dr. Eugenia Constantinou, professor of Biblical studies, host of Search the Scriptures Live! on Ancient Faith Radio, and author of Thinking Orthodox and The Crucifixion of the King of GloryWe were created with a body. We will be raised and judged, punished or glorified in the body. Since the spiritual life emphasizes the soul, why does the body even matter? Is the Christian life merely a set of rules to be followed, lest a judgmental God chastise us from heaven? Are good deeds necessary obligations to be fulfilled for our salvation? What role does the body play in salvation? Fr. Stavros Akrotirianakis, priest of St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church in Tampa, FL and author of Blessed is the Kingdom: Reflections on the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom Our faith journey is meant to be one of encouragement.  This session will offer commentary on Encouragement found in the Bible, in Orthodoxy, and how we can encourage one another in our journey to salvation. Laura Jansson, Orthodox Christian doula, childbirth educator, and mother of fourHow to Love your Friends When they're Expecting • Having a child is a true labor of love; when our friends, daughters-in-law and Godmothers undertake it, they need all the help we can give. Come to this session to learn how best to assist them in their holy work. Be inspired by, and help create, a vision for ministry offering true support for pregnant, birthing and postpartum women in the Church. Sharing Her Life in Christ: Writing the Stories of Women Saints • Laura Jansson, Melinda Johnson, and Rheta Thola • Hear from three authors about learning, researching, and writing the lives of women saints. What's it like to write about the life of a holy woman in our contemporary life? What did you learn about her, and about yourself, through the creative process? SCHEDULE Check-in for the event opens at 3 pm on Thursday, November 13th. Programming begins with Vespers in the afternoon, followed by dinner and a welcome session. Friday and Saturday will be filled with lecture sessions from our speakers, church services, meals, free time, and other activities (to be announced). On Sunday, November 16th, we will celebrate liturgy and enjoy brunch together. There is no other programming on Sunday. The building will close after check-out at 1:00 pm. A detailed schedule will be released to registrants when finalized.  DETAILS Who’s Invited: The Ancient Faith Women’s Retreat is for Orthodox women who are college age and up! This is an openly, joyfully Orthodox event. You do not have to be Orthodox to attend - if you want to be there, we want you there. Roommates: Ancient Faith does not arrange roommates. You are responsible for finding your roommate and arranging to purchase your registration together. Lodging Information: Lodging for the retreat is located at the conference center, not the camp. Rooms are configured like typical hotel rooms. For more information on accommodations and amenities, click <a href="https://www.antiochianvillage.org/" target="_blank">here</a>. For Antiochian Village's Guest Info sheet, click <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AARLeu70HXGutDrkE5MBtAMUiPjfDefP/view?usp=drive_link" target="_blank">here</a>. Driving: There is plenty of free parking at Antiochian Village, so if you’re within reach, this is a great way to come. Airports: If you intend to fly, your best bet is Pittsburgh International Airport (1.5-2 hours drive from Antiochian Village). There is a closer, smaller airport in Latrobe, but airlines, flights, and transport are limited. Airport Transportation: f you intend to fly, you must organize your own transportation between Antiochian Village and the airport. There is no shuttle or transportation organized by Ancient Faith. Ridesharing apps (Uber, Lyft, etc.) do not serve the area. What to Wear: This retreat is a come-as-you-are party! Please feel free to wear comfortable clothes. The weather will be chilly, so dress accordingly, especially if you’re someone who likes to go out for a walk during her free time. We will be celebrating Divine Liturgy together on Sunday morning, so pack “church clothes."Allergies &amp; Dietary Restrictions: Registration includes all meals from Thursday dinner to Sunday brunch. For information on accommodating allergies or a medically necessary diet, please click <a href="http://www.antiochianvillage.org/special-diet-requests/" target="_blank">here</a>. You must submit via Antiochian Village's website by October 10, 2025 at 5 PM CT in order to be accommodated. Please submit through Antiochian Village's form and forward the confirmation to Ellie Bernasol (events@ancientfaith.com)–thank you!Cancellations &amp; Refunds: Cancellations will be accepted and refunded until October 10, 2025 at 5 PM CT. No refunds will be issued after this date. To cancel and receive a refund, email Ellie Bernasol (events@ancientfaith.com). Ticket Transfers: Tickets are nontransferable. If a ticket holder is unable to attend, they may seek a refund before October 10, 2025 at 5 PM CT. Questions: Please don’t hesitate to contact Ellie Bernasol at events<a href="mailto:ellie@ancientfaith.com" target="_blank">@ancientfaith.com</a> with any questions. We are looking forward very much to spending time with you in November!

Ancient Faith Ministries

2025 Ancient Faith Women's Retreat

140 Church Camp Trail

Upgrade from single to double

$345

Upgrade from double to triple

$300

Commuter registration

$275

Gluten free ticket

$24

Speaker Guest ticket

$275