The Saint John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival

The Saint John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival was established in 1983 by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese to provide teenagers with an opportunity to write and talk about their faith. The Oratorical Festival Program has two levels: a Junior Division for students in the 7th through 9th grades and a Senior Division for those in the 10th through 12th grades.

The top speakers in each division from the parishes advance to the Metropolis level, and the two division finalists represent the Metropolis in the Archdiocese Finals.

Parish finalists in the Metropolis of Denver travel to the host parish and participate in activities throughout the weekend, culminating with the delivery of their speeches before Metropolitan Isaiah, the other participants and their parents, and the judges.

The 2008 Metropolis of Denver Oratorical Festival

The 2008 Metropolis of Denver Oratorical Festival will be hosted by Saint Catherine parish in Greenwood Village, Colorado on April 4 through 6, 2008.

The host parish coordinating committee sent a letter to all parishes, urging them to participate and to register as soon as possible.

The host committee members have also prepared a General Information Sheet containing details of hotel and transportation arrangements as well as a Tentative Schedule of Events.

Registration materials that must be filled out by all participants in the Metropolis Festival were as follows:

• 2008 Individual Participant Checklist & Tips Sheet
• 2008 Individual Participant Registration Form
• 2008 Medical Information and Release Form

Message from Father Paul to Parish Pastors

January 4, 2008

Dear Fathers,

Greetings in the Lord!

I am writing at this time to formally announce the dates for the 2008 Metropolis of Denver St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival. With the blessings of His Eminence Metropolitan Isaiah, this year’s Festival will be held the weekend of April 4-6, 2008 and will be hosted by St. Catherine Parish in Greenwood Village, Colorado. In the coming weeks you will be receiving additional information regarding the Metropolis Festival from Fr. Lou Christopulos of St. Catherine and co-chairs John and Suzanne Magerko.

A listing of topics and the Festival Manual for the 2008 Oratorical Festival can be found on the Archdiocese Department of Religious Education website:

http://www.goarch.org/en/archdiocese/departments/religioused/sjcof.asp

For additional help in organizing and implementing your parish Festival, you may contact the Metropolis of Denver Oratorical Coordinator, Mrs. Maria Georgeton, at: georgeton@earthlink.net, or 281-482-1228.

The St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival is a unique opportunity for our Orthodox youth to learn and grow in Christ through the articulation of their faith. Further, the Festival not only benefits the youth participants, but also every member of the parish as they are invited to listen and share in the young people’s expression of the Orthodox tradition. For this reason, His Eminence strongly feels that this ministry should be a primary focus for each parish priest.

I very much look forward to seeing representatives from your parish at this year’s Festival. As always, if there is any way that I can be of assistance, please let me know.

In Christ,

Rev. Dn. Paul Zaharas, Director
Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries

Metropolis of Denver Oratorical Coordinator

• e-mail: georgeton@earthlink.net
• Telephone: 281-482-1228

Archdiocese Updates about the 2008 Oratorical Festival

The Oratorical Festival, now entering its 25th year, provides young people an opportunity to research, prepare, and deliver a speech on topics related to their Greek Orthodox faith and heritage. To view the latest press release and other information about the festival, including the 2008 topics, tips & bibliography visit:
Archdiocese Oratorical Festival Web Page.