Synergy has been hosting an annual Symposium since 1995. We've gradually settled on the third Saturday in October.

The 2007 Symposium's theme is salvation: Can you eat, drink and be merry...and still go to Heaven?

Our speakers:

Fr. Makarios Mannos was born in the Salt Lake City, Utah area. His education was disrupted by miltary service in the Vietnam War. Following his release from military service in 1971 with an honorable discharge, he returned to Salt Lake City. Fr. Makarios transferred to Westminster College where he completed his undergraduate degree in the spring of 1972, earning a degree in philosophy and religion. He was accepted for theological studies at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Seminary.

In May 1975, while still a student at Holy Cross, Fr. Makarios was tonsured a monk, taking the name of St. Makarios of Egypt. He was ordained to the diaconate the same year, and immediately upon graduation, went directly to St. Catherine's Monastery, Sinai, where he was ordained to the priesthood in 1984.

Fr. Makarios is currently on an extended leave of absence from the monastery, unde the care of His Eminence Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver. On January 7, 1998, Fr, Makaros was raised to the rank of Archimandrite by Metropolitan Isaiah, with the approval of His Eminence Archbishop Damianos of Sinai.

Fr. Thomas Soroka is the rector of St. Nicholas Orthodox Church (OCA) in McKees Rocks, PA, near downtown Pittsburgh. Fr. Thomas holds degrees in music education, music theory and composition from Duquesne University, and also attended St. Vladimir's Orthodox Seminary in Crestwood, NY.

Prior to his ordination, Fr. Thomas served in various capacities in OCA, Antiochian, and Greek parishes in Pittsburgh and Kentucky. In addition to directing choirs, he has led Orthodox Bible studies for over 20 years. Outside of the Church, he has held positions has an computer networking instructor and consultant. Along with his parish responsibilities, he is currently emplyed as a technical instructor for a consulting company in Pittsburgh. He hosts "The Path" podcast weekdays on Ancient Faith Radio, providing the daily lectionary readings with commentary from the Church Fathers.

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