2023 Oratorical Festival Topic Tips & Resources Releases by Department of Religious Education
The Department of Religious Education (DRE) is pleased to announce the release of the 2023 St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival Topic Tips & Resources. Formerly known as ‘Topic Tips’ just for the youth participants, this year, the DRE has expanded it to ‘Topic Tips & Resources’ for participants, parents, mentors, GOYA advisors, and religious educators.
The Topics Tips & Resources includes a bibliography with expansive resources such as books, articles, videos, websites, and liturgical documents. As well as suggestions, things to ponder, and questions on each topic to assist participants in brainstorming, developing, and writing their Oratorical Festival speeches. Now parents, mentors, and GOYA advisors can better assist participants on the vast range of topics with ease and confidence. And now, Sunday School teachers can guide their students through a discussion on any of the ten topics, and even turn a class into a writing session to encourage all youth to participate in their Church Oratorical Festival.
Check out the 2023 Topic Tips & Resources: https://www.goarch.org/documents/32058/7302557/2023_SJCOF_Topic_Tips_%26_Resources+%28web%29.pdf/a1e3c06d-4284-453e-994d-e56886eafedd
Now in its 39th year, the St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival is a nationwide program of the DRE where Orthodox youth present speeches discussing the Greek Orthodox faith and the Church. Youth get to explore and deepen their faith and hone their speech writing and public speaking skills. Finalists can earn sizeable awards and scholarships at the National Finals. And finalists can also earn scholarships at each of the three levels. The Oratorical Festival centers around faith, education, and fellowship.
HOW IT WORKS:
The Oratorical Festival is divided into the Senior Division (grades 10-12) and Junior Division (grades 7-9). Participants start at the Parish level, which begins in the new year. Then proceed to the District or Metropolis level. And then, two finalists representing each Metropolis of the Archdiocese advance to the National Finals, which are on June 9-11, 2023, and hosted by the Metropolis of New Jersey at St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Clifton.
AWARDS & SCHOLARSHIPS:
All participants at the National Finals will receive awards from the St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival ranging from $500 to $2000 and FAITH: An Endowment for Orthodoxy and Hellenism (to be announced). Finalists at any level are eligible to receive the Chrysostom Scholarship to Hellenic College ranging from $2,500 to $30,000 per year.
REGISTER:
Register for the Oratorical Festival as a parish chairperson or a participant today: www.goarch.org/-/st-john-chrysostom-oratorical-festival-forms-and-registration
SUBSCRIBE:
Keep up to date on this year’s Oratorical Festival by subscribing to the new email subscription service: www.goarch.org/departments/religioused/lists Or follow the Oratorical Festival on Instagram and Facebook: @goarchORATORICAL
Have questions? Kindly contact:
Department of Religious Education
Email: [email protected] | Toll-free: 800-566-1088
Instagram & Facebook: @goarchORATORICAL
