Saint John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival
History and Structure
Introduced in 1983, the St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival provides Greek Orthodox teenagers the opportunity to write and talk about their faith. The Oratorical Festival Program begins at the Parish Level and is divided into two divisions: the Junior Division for students in the 7th to 9th grades and the Senior Division for teenagers in the 10th to 12th grades.
The top speakers in each division advance to the district level and, if selected, become one of two finalists in their division to represent their district at their Metropolis Oratorical Festival. The top speaker in each division is then selected to participate in the Archdiocese Finals, which is hosted by a different Metropolis each year.
All eighteen finalists at the Archdiocese Finals participate in a weekend of activities, the highlight of which is the delivery of their speeches on Saturday morning. The Oratorical Festival Scholarship Foundation provides college scholarships in the amount of $2000, $1500, and $1000 to the top three speakers in each division. In addition, those finalists who receive a rank of Honorable Mention are awarded a $500 United States Savings Bond.
For more information about the structure of the Festival and to order resources, please contact the Department of Religious Education: 1 (800) 566-1088. You may also go to the Archdiocese Oratorical Festival webpage.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FESTIVAL TOPICS AND THE OFFICIAL FESTIVAL MANUAL
The top speakers in each division advance to the district level and, if selected, become one of two finalists in their division to represent their district at their Metropolis Oratorical Festival. The top speaker in each division is then selected to participate in the Archdiocese Finals, which is hosted by a different Metropolis each year.
All eighteen finalists at the Archdiocese Finals participate in a weekend of activities, the highlight of which is the delivery of their speeches on Saturday morning. The Oratorical Festival Scholarship Foundation provides college scholarships in the amount of $2000, $1500, and $1000 to the top three speakers in each division. In addition, those finalists who receive a rank of Honorable Mention are awarded a $500 United States Savings Bond.
For more information about the structure of the Festival and to order resources, please contact the Department of Religious Education: 1 (800) 566-1088. You may also go to the Archdiocese Oratorical Festival webpage.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FESTIVAL TOPICS AND THE OFFICIAL FESTIVAL MANUAL
Metropolis of Detroit
The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Detroit has always been represented by fine young Orthodox men and women. They are exemplary ambassadors of their peers, families, and parishes.
For questions regarding the St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festivals in the Metropolis of Detroit, please contact youth@detroit.goarch.org or (248) 823-2400.
CLICK HERE FOR OUR ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM PARISH RESOURCE PAGE, INCLUDING THE 2023 TOPICS AND METROPOLIS OF DETROIT FESTIVAL DATES AND LOCATIONS.
CLICK HERE TO FOR INFORMATION REGARDING THE ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM ORATORICAL FESTIVAL - METROPOLIS FINALS
For questions regarding the St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festivals in the Metropolis of Detroit, please contact youth@detroit.goarch.org or (248) 823-2400.
CLICK HERE FOR OUR ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM PARISH RESOURCE PAGE, INCLUDING THE 2023 TOPICS AND METROPOLIS OF DETROIT FESTIVAL DATES AND LOCATIONS.
CLICK HERE TO FOR INFORMATION REGARDING THE ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM ORATORICAL FESTIVAL - METROPOLIS FINALS