Doxacon 2021:
Exploring Virtuous Decisions in Fiction

In his 4th-century Address to Young Men on the Right Use of Greek Literature, St. Basil the Great delivered a speech encouraging the Christian youth to seek out the virtuous teachings present in the writings of the pagans. But “as Odysseus is said to have fled past the song of the sirens,” Basil also exhorted them to also flee from the writings that portrayed base conduct and contradicted God’s Word. He compared the discernment bees make between flowers to how these young men ought to choose between profitable and unprofitable reading: “For just as bees know how to extract honey from flowers, which to men are agreeable only for their fragrance and color… those who look for something more than pleasure and enjoyment in such writers may derive profit for their souls.”
 
Science fiction and fantasy entertainment are like our Greek myths today. How can we approach the sci-fi and fantasy we love in the way that St. Basil taught the youth of his time? How can we learn to identify those movies, games, or books that have merit for our souls, and leave the rest behind?
 
St. Basil also teaches that there is great value in discerning virtue in the pagan writings. While he emphasizes their ultimate lesser value when compared to the Holy Scriptures, St. Basil points out that because virtue is the fundamental truth tying the two kinds of literature together, truth can still be seen in the Greek myths as “in shadows and in mirrors.” He even goes on to say that being familiar with the pagan wisdom was useful in “strengthening our regard” for the deeper wisdom of the Gospel that might otherwise be inaccessible, simply due it being too foreign! In that way, what truths can we perceive, even as in shadows and in mirrors, in the science fiction and fantasy we enjoy today? What deeper truths are emphasized or revealed to us, whether weakly due to its lack of foundation in the Scriptures, or whether powerfully nonetheless?
 
At Doxacon 2021, we want to explore virtuous decisions we make about fiction and in fiction: whether about what fiction we choose to consume, in what ways we create fiction, or about what decisions we make in fictional situations like roleplaying games.
 
Join us virtually this November 5th & 6th. We’re excited to have you from all across the globe!

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Keynote Speakers for Doxacon 2021

CLERGY KEYNOTE
Fr. David Subu

LAY KEYNOTE
Frederica Mathewes-Green

Check out all the 2021 Speakers

DOXACON ONLINE 2020
Did you miss it?

No worries, friends! All the main sessions from Doxacon 2020 are available for your viewing pleasure on YouTube!

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What's Doxacon All About?

Steven Christoforou, a favorite speaker and attendee of Doxacon, gives a brief overview of the event's atmosphere, experiences, and purpose.

Listen in on the Podcast

The intersection between faith and fandom spins always in our minds, even in the off-season.

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Check out the Media We Recommend

Check out the Christian sci-fi and fantasy books sold at last year's convention.

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Doxacon in Person

The convention is at its best in the flesh! In 2019, we offered beautiful Orthodox prayers and a stellar round of edifying speakers. Worship and thoughtful presentations drew attention to issues that are important to us through the lenses of the fictional universes that inspire and influence us. Remember Doxacon 2019 with us below, or get a glimpse of what the convention is normally like!

Awesome Merch

Attendees were able to commission a single-character sketch from a professional artist, pick up a new sci-fi book, purchase minis, or buy a Doxacon tee, all in the same motley place.

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Scholarly Analyses of Media, Storytelling, and Pop Culture

Did a scholar, priest, or author have a researched word to say on your favorite Marvel film, time-traveling doctor, or Enterprise captain? Scope out our 2019 guest speakers and their lecture synopses.

See 2019 Lectures

Tabletop Games at the Open Gaming Session

2019 was the second year we've bonded over collaborative storytelling, critical fails, and Cheetoh dust.

Games We Played in 2019