Oratorical Festival

St. John Chrysostom 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 on 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 sizable monetary awards, and finalists at all four levels earn scholarships. Introduced in 1983, the St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival provides Greek Orthodox teenagers the opportunity to write and talk about their faith. The Oratorical Festival Program begins at the parish level and is divided into three divisions:

• Elementary Division (parish only): Students in grades 4 – 6
• Junior Division: Students in grades 7 – 9
• Senior Division: Students in grades 10 – 12

The top speakers in the Junior and Senior Divisions advance to the district levels. Two finalists in each district division represent the district at the Metropolis Oratorical Festival. The top speaker in each metropolis division is then selected to participate in the National Finals, which is hosted by a different metropolis each year. All eighteen finalists at the National Oratorical Festival participate in a weekend of activities, and deliver their respective speeches.

2026 Participant Registration

The St. George Cathedral St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival parish level competition will take place after the Divine Liturgy – at 433 Fairfield Ave in Hartford, CT. Stay tuned for the 2026 date!

For further information about junior and senior division topics and requirements, please consult the St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival webpage.

Please contact Peter Smith at [email protected] for registration info or more information regarding the parish level competition.