Doxa (δόξα) in Greek means “common belief” it is the second half of the word Ortho (ὀρθός) in Greek means, “right” or “correct.” Hence, Orthodox (ορθόδοξος) meaning “Right Belief.”
Doxacon Seattle is the first ever Geek (you read correctly, Geek) Orthodox Sci-Fi and Fantasy convention on the West Coast (Doxacon Prime was founded by Fr. David Subu and Daniel Silver in Washington D.C. in 2013). The gathering is of the “common belief” in the Eastern Orthodox Christian faith and the love of all things Sci-Fi and Fantasy.
“I’m really excited that we’ve done something like this to open up some dialogue. I have a lot of Christian friends that think there is no room for fiction in the life of a Christian of any kind. They are very opposed to anything that might involve magic. My hope is that this will continue to grow and open up the dialogue and see the positive influence of Sci-Fi and Fantasy in the arts for all Christians,” Jamie Miller, a Doxacon Seattle volunteer.
Eastern Christianity is on the opposite end of the pendulum swing from American Christianity. There was never a need for a universal pope, there was never a need for a reformation, nor a need for the division of the church beyond that of what happened between East and West in AD 1054.
The theology of Eastern Christianity has never deviated from its Semitic and Hellenistic roots, making no divide between the spiritual world and the physical world.
“The purpose of a Christian life is that of repentance. St Seraphim said, ‘for those who strive for inner peace, a thousand around you will be saved,” quoted Abbot Tryphon of All-Merciful Saviour Orthodox Monastery and a Ringer from his youth.
With such topics discussed as Playing God: Creation, Incarnation, and Community at the Game Table being presented by Fr Serafim Gascoigne, The Positive Use of Imagination in Literature by Abbot Tryphon, Ethics in Comics presented by Doxacon Seattle founder Tayna Keenan, and Orthodox Theology n C.S. Lewis’ Til We Have Faced by Presvytera (Greek title for a priest’s wife) Elizabeth Tervo. Doxacon is a spiritual gathering for those who seek to balance their faith with their love of fantasy.
When I thought about how I came to Orthodoxy it was through Star Wars. Luke’s journey in becoming a Jedi was the spiritual journey that I always wanted. I searched for a really long time for that path, and I found it in Orthodoxy. So, I think these works of speculative fiction tell us about our faith, how to live out our faith, and how to walk in the world,” said Keenan.
Doxacon Seattle is being held from August 22-24 2014 at Cacadia Community College and St. Catherine’s Orthodox Church of America.
For more information, visit www.doxacon.org