The Saint John Chrysostom Oratorical and Fine Arts Festival

Background

The Saint John Chrysostom Oratorical and Fine Arts Festival is a long-standing tradition that provides a unique opportunity for our youth both to learn about their faith and to display their talents in various areas. The Oratorical Festival begins at the parish level and is divided into three divisions: Elementary (optional/parish festival only) for grades 4–6, Junior Division for grades 7–9, and Senior Division for grades 10–12.

Those who are successful at their individual parish festivals in the Junior and Senior divisions are invited to participate in a day of fellowship at the Metropolis Festival, where the top three finalists in each category and division will be awarded. Those who place first in the Junior and Senior Speech (only) divisions will then move on to participate at the National Festival, which is hosted by a different metropolis each year.

2023 Chicago Metropolis Festival

With the blessings of His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael, we are pleased to announce that the 39th Annual Saint John Chrysostom Chicago Metropolis Oratorical and Fine Arts Festival will be held on Saturday, April 29, 2023 (the week after Bright Saturday) at Ascension of Our Lord Greek Orthodox Church, 1207 Riverwoods Road, Lincolnshire, Illinois, 60069. We are excitedly anticipating a weekend of spiritual celebration and fellowship for all in attendance. Please keep in mind the following important dates and information as you begin your preparations:

General Information

The Metropolis Festival will offer 6 categories (Speech, Essay, Poetry, Iconography, Vocal Solo, and Vocal Chant), each with 2 divisions (Senior and Junior). New this year, we will be adding a separate Vocal Chant category to accommodate the growing interest in this ministry. Once again, our Metropolis youth are invited to register for as many as two separate events at the Metropolis Festival. The guidelines for all categories are contained in the Parish Information Packet below. We hope these changes will welcome more participation.

In addition to the Parish Information Packet, we have also included below a list of this year’s Topics (for Speech, Essay, and Poetry), the Music Selections (for Vocal Solo and Vocal Chant), which are contained in the Parish Information Packet, and the Tips and Resources from the Archdiocese. Please take time to read through these documents and forward copies to all participants.

2023 Parish Information Packet

2023 Topics

2023 Music Selections

2023 Tips and Resources

2023 Poster

This year’s poster features the icon written by George Bentley of Ascension of Our Lord Greek Orthodox Church of Lincolnshire, Illinois, winner of the 2022 Senior Iconography Division. Download Poster>>

2023 Registration

After concluding your parish festivals, the participants who will be advancing to the Metropolis Festival and each Oratorical Chairperson must submit their registration forms online through the following Google Document links: Chairperson Registration>> or Participant Registration>>. Please note that these forms are different from those found on the Archdiocesan website. We prefer that the Oratorical Chairperson Registration Form be submitted as soon as possible so that we may contact you from time to time with important information. The deadline for all submissions and the Participant Registration Form is Monday, April 10, 2023.

2023 Additional Information

Additional information regarding the Awards Luncheon, hotel information in the Lincolnshire area, and a schedule for the day of the Festival will be updated here and sent to all registered participants and chairpeople as the date draws nearer.

2023 Donations

The expenses involved in hosting the Metropolis Festival increase with each passing year; however, we remain committed to investing in our youth and providing them with a forum to enhance their knowledge of Orthodoxy. Currently, our Metropolis is the only one to offer such a range of categories, and with your help, we can continue to provide innovative opportunities for our youth to express their faith.

We ask that you consider including this year’s Metropolis Oratorical Festival as a recipient of your philanthropic giving. With your help, we can once again organize a memorable program for our youth and their families—one that will strengthen their faith and warm their hearts.

For 38 years, participants, parents, and parishes have experienced the impact of this powerful program. We aspire to share this rich, inclusive tradition with future generations and are grateful for your generous support.

We encourage you to share the Donation Letter and Donation Submission Form linked below with any friends who may wish to support the Festival.

Donation Letter

Donation Submission Form

Online Submission Form

Contact Information

We ask that you forward this Metropolis Festival information to everyone at your parish who is involved in a youth ministry, as well as parents of your church school registrants. In the meantime, please do not hesitate to e-mail or call us with any questions. We look forward to celebrating with everyone in April!

Chicago Metropolis Oratorical Festival Committee

Andrea Tsakopoulos, Co-Chair: (219) 789-4474

Audrey Polite, Co-Chair: (219) 742-7679

Email: oratoricalfestival@gmail.com

2022 National Festival

The Chicago Metropolis representatives did very well at the National Oratorical Festival in Dallas, Texas over the weekend of June 3-5, 2022. Demetra Feradouros (SS Constantine & Helen, Palos Hills, IL) placed second in the Senior Speech Division, and Chris Zouras (Ascension of Our Lord, Lincolnshire, IL) placed first in the Junior Speech Division. We look forward to again supporting the high quality of our 2023 Chicago Metropolis participants this year!