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.
2025 Metropolis Festival
With the blessings of His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael, we are pleased to announce that the 41st Annual Saint John Chrysostom Oratorical and Fine Arts Festival will be held on Bright Saturday, April 26, 2025 at Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, 601 South Central Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, 60644. 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/10th-12th grades and Junior/7th 9th grades). Once again, our Metropolis youth are invited to register for as many as two separate events at the Metropolis Festival. The guidelines for the Metropolis Festival are contained in the Metropolis Information Packet below.
In addition to the Metropolis Information Packet, we have also included below a list of this year’s National Topics, Tips, and Resources (for Speech, Essay, and Poetry). The Music Selections (for Vocal Solo and Vocal Chant) are contained in the Metropolis Information Packet. Please take time to read through these documents and forward copies to all of your parish youth.
Registration
All Parish Festival Chairpersons must register below as soon as possible to be added to our distribution list. All Participants who place 1st in each of the 6 categories at their parish festivals will advance to the Metropolis Festival and must register below by Monday, April 7, 2025. Please note that these forms are different from those found on the National website.
Deadline
All entries for Speech, Essay, Poetry, Vocal Solo, and Vocal Chant, both Junior and Senior Divisions, must be submitted no later than Monday, April 7, 2025. These submissions must be sent electronically to oratoricalfestival@gmail.com. All entries for Iconography, both Junior and Senior Divisions, must be postmarked no later than Monday, April 7, 2025. These submissions must be sent by mail to Andrea Tsakopoulos, 8800 Verbena Court, St. John, Indiana, 46373. Late submissions in any category will not be judged.
Festival Day Information
Additional information regarding the Awards Luncheon, hotel information in the Chicago, Illinois area, and a schedule for the day of the Metropolis Festival will be sent to those who register as the date draws nearer.
2025 Metropolis Festival Poster
This year’s poster features the icon written by Evanthia Fotopoulos of St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Schererville, Indiana, the winner of the 2024 Senior Iconography Division. We hope that you will print and display it in a prominent location in your parish.
2025 Metropolis Festival Poster
National Festival
The National Festival, which includes the Metropolis winners for the Speech category only, is scheduled to take place during the weekend of May 30, 2025 at the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Support – Event Sponsorship
This year, the Saint John Chrysostom Oratorical and Fine Arts Festival celebrates a remarkable milestone. For 40 years, the youth of our Chicago Metropolis have been given a forum to share their love of Jesus Christ and witness their Orthodox faith. Whether through the medium of oratory or essay, poetry or iconography, vocal solo or vocal chant, the youth of our Metropolis have expressed their faith for four decades.
Thanks to the generosity of individuals and organizations across our Metropolis, we have been able to expand the offerings of our Festival over time, appealing to the diverse strengths and interests of our youth. Last year, we increased the scholarships awarded to our first-place oratory participants, and we hope to extend these gifts to first-place participants across categories in 2024 and beyond.
As someone who has given of your time, talents, and treasures in support of Orthodoxy, 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.
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
2024 National Festival
Congratulations to our Chicago Metropolis representatives who participated at the National Oratorical Festival, which took place at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Buffalo, New York during the weekend of June 7-9, 2024. Both Leo Petropoulos (Saint Sophia, Elgin, IL) and Maria Zouras (Ascension of Our Lord, Lincolnshire, IL) received Honorable Mention Awards in the Senior Speech Division and Junior Speech Division, respectively. Congratulations to Leo & Maria!
Video Interviews
The Role of the Mother of God in Our Lives
Gabriella E. | St. Demetrios, Libertyville, IL
What is the importance of service in the Orthodox Church?
Luke C. | Holy Apostles, Westchester, IL
What is the Mother of God’s role in the Church?
Eleftheria A. | Assumption, Town and Country, MO
Showing Hospitality to Strangers
Alex K. | SS Peter and Paul, Glenview, IL
How have modern-day saints from the past 100 years, from St. Nektarios to St. Paisios and others, helped Orthodox Christians live their lives today?
Anthony T. | St. Demetrios, Chicago, IL
What is the significance of Constantinople and Church History, and the struggle that Orthodox Christians in Constantinople face today?
Katherine S. | Kimissis Tis Theotokou, Racine, WI