Congratulations to the 2023 St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival National Finalists — Way to Go!
With the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, the Department of Religious Education (DRE) of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, is thrilled to announce the 39th Annual St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival National Finalists. The participants competed on June 10th, 2023, at St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Clifton, New Jersey. Congratulations to the 1st Place National Finalists from the Junior Division, Sophia Nichols, and the Senior Division, Nicole Sophia Petrutiu! (see complete list below)
NEW RECORDS BROKEN
This year’s Oratorical Festival saw the largest growth rate of youth participation on record. The largest amount in award and scholarship donations on record. The largest growth rate of church participation on record since the establishment of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America (formerly North and South America).
AWARDS, SCHOLARSHIPS & GIFTS
For the second year in a row, the awards and scholarships presented more than doubled in value. Participants at the National Finals received awards and scholarships ranging from $1,500 to $5,000. This was made possible by this year’s top sponsor, FAITH: An Endowment for Orthodoxy and Hellenism, who generously donated $25,000. And the Oratorical Festival Award Fund of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Finalists from all four levels are also eligible to apply for the Hellenic College Chrysostom Scholarship.
All National participants received an official plaque and certificate recognizing them for following the calling of the Church, sharing the Greek Orthodox Faith, and for the courage to confess their faith. They were gifted with an Orthodox Marketplace komboskini (prayer rope) blessed on the Holy Relics of one of the greatest Saints of the century, Saint Nektarios of Aegina, along with a DRE card explaining the komboskini and the suggested prayers.
CONGRATULATIONS, NATIONAL FINALISTS!
Junior Division (grades 7-9)
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1st place recipient Sophia Nichols from the Metropolis of Boston, Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation in Cranston, Rhode Island, was awarded $5,000.
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2nd place recipient Markella Nacopoulos from the Metropolis of Pittsburgh, Koimisis Tis Theotokou Greek Orthodox Church in Erie, Pennsylvania, was awarded $3,500.
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3rd place recipient Despina Anagnostopoulos from the Metropolis of San Francisco, Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church in San Bernardino, California, was awarded $2,500.
Honorable Mention recipients were each awarded $1,500, and the six were:
— Georgia Haviaras from the Metropolis of Detroit, St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church in Sterling Heights, Michigan.
— Maria Malamis from the Metropolis of Chicago, Ascension of Our Lord Greek Orthodox Church in Lincolnshire, Illinois.
— Evangeline NellieMae Mueller from the Metropolis of Denver, St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church in Loveland, Colorado.
— Alexa Pacholyk from the Direct Archdiocesan District, St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church in Orange, Connecticut.
— Constantina Theofaneia Pilarinos from the Metropolis of New Jersey, St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Clifton, New Jersey.
— Anna Evangelia Shelley from the Metropolis of Atlanta, Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Columbia, South Carolina.
Senior Division (grades 10-12)
• 1st Place recipient Nicole Sophia Petrutiu from the Metropolis of Detroit, Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Westland, Michigan, was awarded $5,000.
• 2nd Place recipient Sophia Rebecca Hahn from the Metropolis of Pittsburgh, Kimisis Tis Theotokou in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, was awarded $3,500.
• 3rd place recipient Nicholas Christon from the Metropolis of Denver, Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Dallas, Texas, was awarded $2,500.
Honorable Mention recipients were each awarded $1,500, and the six were:
— Evan Anagnostopoulos from the Metropolis of San Francisco, Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church in San Bernardino, California.
— Kailah Callaham from the Metropolis of New Jersey, Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Annapolis, Maryland.
— Ana DeBassio from the Direct Archdiocesan District, St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church in Orange, Connecticut.
— Iliana Chilimigras Fotopoulos from the Metropolis of Atlanta, St. George Church in New Port Richey, Florida.
— Vilson Lipa from the Metropolis of Boston, Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Webster, Massachusetts.
— Leo Paul Petropoulos from the Metropolis of Chicago, St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church in Elgin, Illinois.
VIDEOS OF THE COMPETITIONS & AWARDS CEREMONY
If you missed the Oratorical Festival National Finals or are missing them already, the DRE has you covered. Watch it now: www.goarch.org/oratorical
PHOTOS OF THE WEEKEND
Follow @goarchORATORICAL on Instagram and Facebook to check out what happened throughout the weekend of faith, education, fellowship — and fun!
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!
A huge thanks to the countless volunteers, sponsors, donors, clergy, chairs, committees, staff, participants, and supporters across America who made the 39th Annual St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival possible, beginning from the launch in the fall of 2022, all the way to the National Finals this past weekend!
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The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America National Committee: led by the DRE Director, His Grace Bishop Athenagoras of Nazianzos, and His DRE Team, Chairperson Katherine Orfanakos Demacopoulos, and the Metropolis/DAD Teams.
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The Metropolis of New Jersey Host Committee: overseen by His Grace Bishop Apostolos of Medeia and led by V. Rev. Fr. Christoforos Oikonomidis.
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The St. George Greek Orthodox Church Host Committee: overseen by Rev. Fr. Peter Souritzidis and led by Chairperson Morfia Sokolic.
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The Awards & Scholarships Donors: FAITH: An Endowment for Orthodoxy and Hellenism, Oratorical Festival Award Fund of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, and Hellenic College Chrysostom Scholarship.
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The Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society: assisted in fundraising efforts for the Oratorical Festival Award Fund.
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The National Oratorical Festival Sponsors: generously donated money, services, and products to make the National Finals weekend possible.
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The Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society, the Metropolis of New Jersey Philoptochos Society, and St. Paraskevi Philoptochos Society of St. George Church: organized and donated the blessing bags for the collaboration with the Oratorical Festival, DRE.
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The Judges of the Junior and Senior competitions.
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The Alumni speakers and supporters.
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And last but definitely not least, the participants, National Finalists, and their biggest cheerleaders, their parents, families, and friends.
Congratulations to the National Finalists and everyone who participated from across America!
ABOUT THE ORATORICAL FESTIVAL
The St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival is a nationwide Department of Religious Education (DRE) ministry of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America that centers around faith, education, and fellowship. Greek Orthodox youth participants present speeches discussing the faith and the Church through exploring and deepening their faith while honing their speech writing and public speaking skills. National finalists earn sizeable monetary awards, and finalists at all four levels earn scholarships. The Oratorical Festival was established in 1983, by DRE Director Ernest Villas and Minerva Stergianopoulos, and began in 1984.
Questions? Kindly contact:
St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival
Department of Religious Education (DRE)
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
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Email: [email protected] | Toll-free: 800-566-1088
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