St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival Offers Opportunity for Youth to Articulate Faith
Youth of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America are encouraged to participate in the annual festival. Photo: GOARCH
BROOKLINE, MA — The St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival, a nationwide ministry of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America’s Department of Religious Education (DRE), continues to offer Greek Orthodox youth the opportunity to explore and articulate their faith through speech writing and public speaking. Founded in 1983 by DRE Director Ernest Villas and Minerva Stergianopoulos, the festival has grown into a multi-level competition awarding scholarships and monetary prizes.
Participants compete in three divisions — Elementary (grades 4–6, parish level only), Junior (grades 7–9), and Senior (grades 10–12). Top speakers in the Junior and Senior divisions advance from parish to district festivals (where applicable), then to their Metropolis festival. Each Metropolis selects one Junior and one Senior finalist to advance to the National Oratorical Festival.
All 18 national finalists take part in a weekend of activities featuring the delivery of their speeches. Finalists receive awards ranging from $750 to $3,000 through the St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival Award Fund, with additional scholarships provided by FAITH: An Endowment for Orthodoxy and Hellenism —whose support dates to 2007 — and the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society, which has sponsored finalists for the past four years.
Finalists are also eligible for the Chrysostom Scholarship of Hellenic College Holy Cross, offering $2,500 to $30,000 annually for four years to students accepted into Hellenic College.
The 2026 festival will be hosted by the Metropolis of San Francisco at St. Nicholas Church in Northridge, Calif., from June 12–14, 2026. More information on the festival, including potential speech topics, tips, and resources, can be found here.
Previously, UOJ reported that the Department of Youth Ministry of the Serbian Orthodox Diocese of New Gracanica–Midwestern America has announced information for the 2025 Winter Youth Retreat.
Read also
St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival Offers Opportunity for Youth to Articulate Faith
Archdiocese-wide youth program continues its mission of faith, education, and public speaking.
Ukrainian Energy and Justice Ministers Resign Amid $100 Million Corruption Scandal
Zelensky orders dismissals as anti-corruption probe uncovers kickback scheme.
Halong's Fury: 1,500 Alaskans Still Displaced as Winter Looms
One month after Typhoon Halong ravaged western Alaska, 1,500 displaced residents race Arctic winter for rebuilding amid airlifted aid, extended disaster funds, and resilient community hope.
Holy Archangel Michael Church in Massachusetts Celebrates 100 Years of Faith and Fellowship
Centennial festivities include all-night vigil, lectures, film screening, and hierarchical Divine Liturgy.
Faith in Action: The 13th Anniversary of Met. Tikhon's Primacy
On the 13th anniversary of his election, Met. Tikhon is celebrated for restoring trust after scandal, championing Ukraine’s canonical Church, canonizing St. Olga, recognizing Macedonian autocephaly, and leading Orthodox civic witness through March for Life and a landmark confessional seal victory.
Christians Return to Syrian Village After 13 Years of Conflict
Faithful families to rebuild homes and community life in al-Ghassaniyah after region cleared of militants.