Connect
An Orthodox young adult conference.

An Orthodox young adult conference.

The Narrow Way: The Royal Path of Discernment. "Strive to enter through the narrow gate" (Luke 13:24).

University of Saint Mary of the Lake.

University of Saint Mary of the Lake.

1000 E Maple Ave, Mundelein, IL 60060

Oct. 2-4, 2026.

Oct. 2-4, 2026.

Friday-Sunday

Featured Speakers

Learn from some of the finest voices in Orthodox Christianity.

Fr. Christopher Foley

Fr. Christopher Foley

Speaker

"Work, Prayer and the Sacrament of the Present Moment"

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Fr. Panagiotis Boznos & Presbytera Nicole

Fr. Panagiotis Boznos & Presbytera Nicole

Speakers

"Transformation in Love"

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Fr. Paul Lundberg

Fr. Paul Lundberg

Keynote Speaker, Spiritual Advisor

The Spaces of Discernment: Identity, Purpose, Belonging in Christ

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Mother Melania

Mother Melania

Speaker

“The Beatitudes and the Pursuit of Happiness”

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Schedule Preview

A glimpse of what to expect at Connect.

Check-InOther

Conference Center Lobby

DinnerMeal

Conference Dining Hall

Opening Keynote SpeakerSession

TBD

ComplineWorship

TBD

Friday Night SocialSocial

Game Room

Prayers at the LakeWorship

Lake

BreakfastMeal

Dining Hall

Speaker Session ISession

TBD

Break IBreak

TBD

Speaker Session IISession

TBD

Break IIBreak

TBD

LunchMeal

Dining Hall

Speaker Session IIISession

TBD

Service ProjectSocial

TBD

VespersWorship

St. Sava's Monastery, Libertyville

Saturday Night SocialSocial

TBD

Bus to LiturgyWorship
Divine LiturgySession
Lunch & Speaker Q&A / Panel / Closing RemarksMeal

Join Us This Year

Spaces are limited. Register today and secure your spot at Connect!

This year's theme is The Narrow Way: The Royal Path of Discernment. We live in a world pulling us in a hundred directions, each voice claiming to know the way forward. Christ invites us onto a different path: to follow Him closely, down the way that is narrow. "Strive to enter through the narrow gate," He tells us, "for many will seek to enter and will not be able" (Luke 13:24).

Discernment isn't a technique for optimizing your best life. It won't always look impressive from the outside, and it isn't a five-step plan. The narrow way asks for surrender, but it's wide enough to carry us into the fullness of who Christ calls us to be. This October, we'll sit with that together: who we are, who we belong with, and what we're called to do. We hope you'll accept the invitation to learn how to walk the path of the narrow way this fall.