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.
2026 Metropolis Festival Honorees
Xristos Anesti! Thank you once again for helping to make the Metropolis Oratorical and Fine Arts Festival such an inspirational weekend. We are forever grateful to Father Timothy Sas, Diakonissa Alexandria Kalina, and the St. Mary’s community for hosting us, especially as we were able to gather in person to celebrate the talents of our youth and our ministry.
Congratulations to all of the 2026 Metropolis Oratorical & Fine Arts Festival Honorees listed below. We wish you all the best and look forward to celebrating with everyone again next year.
With love and gratitude,
The Metropolis Oratorical Festival Committee
2026 Metropolis Festival Event Book
Click on the following link to view our 2025 Metropolis Festival Book.
2026 Photos
Click on the following link to view our 2026 Oratorical Festival photographs, taken by Lex Alexander.
2026 National Festival
Congratulations to Sammy Stephenson (St. Mary’s, Minneapolis, MN) and Paul Houck (St. Mary’s, Minneapolis, MN), our Chicago Metropolis representatives for Senior and Junior Speech, respectively, who will participate at the National Oratorical Festival at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Charleston, South Carolina during the weekend of June 5th–7th, 2026. Congratulations to Sammy and Paul!
