The Saint John Chrysostom Oratorical and Fine Arts Festival
Background
The Saint John Chrysostom Oratorical and Fine Arts Festival is a long-standing tradition that provides a unique opportunity for our youth both to learn about their faith and to display their talents in various areas. The Oratorical Festival begins at the parish level and is divided into three divisions: Elementary (optional/parish festival only) for grades 4–6, Junior Division for grades 7–9, and Senior Division for grades 10–12.
Those who are successful at their individual parish festivals in the Junior and Senior divisions are invited to participate in a day of fellowship at the Metropolis Festival, where the top three finalists in each category and division will be awarded. Those who place first in the Junior and Senior Speech (only) divisions will then move on to participate at the National Festival, which is hosted by a different metropolis each year.
2026 Metropolis Festival
With the blessings of His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael, we are pleased to announce that the 42nd Annual Saint John Chrysostom Oratorical and Fine Arts Festival will be held on Bright Saturday, April 18, 2026 at St. Mary’s Greek Orthodox Church, 3450 Irving Avenue South, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55408. We are excitedly anticipating a weekend of spiritual celebration and fellowship for all in attendance. Please keep in mind the following important dates and information as you begin your preparations:
General Information
The Metropolis Festival offers 6 categories (Speech, Essay, Poetry, Iconography, Vocal Solo, and Vocal Chant), each with 2 divisions (Senior/10th-12th grades and Junior/7th 9th grades). Once again, our Metropolis youth are invited to register for as many as two separate events at the Metropolis Festival. The guidelines for the Metropolis Festival are contained in the Metropolis Information Packet below.
In addition to the Metropolis Information Packet, we have also included below a list of this year’s National Topics, Tips, and Resources (for Speech, Essay, and Poetry). The Music Selections (for Vocal Solo and Vocal Chant) are contained in the Metropolis Information Packet. Please take time to read through these documents and forward copies to all of your parish youth.
Registration
All Parish Festival Chairpersons must register below as soon as possible to be added to our distribution list. All Participants who place 1st in each of the 6 categories at their parish festivals will advance to the Metropolis Festival and must register below by Monday, March 30, 2026. Please note that these forms are different from those found on the Archdiocesan website.
Parish Festival Chairperson Registration
Deadline
All entries for Speech, Essay, Poetry, Vocal Solo, and Vocal Chant, both Junior and Senior Divisions, must be submitted no later than Monday, March 30, 2026. These submissions must be sent electronically to oratoricalfestival@gmail.com. All entries for Iconography, both Junior and Senior Divisions, must be postmarked no later than Monday, March 30, 2026. These submissions must be sent by mail to Andrea Tsakopoulos, 8800 Verbena Court, St. John, Indiana, 46373. Late submissions in any category will not be judged.
2026 Metropolis Festival Poster
This year’s poster features the icon written by Diamanto Mesiacos of St. Athanasios Greek Orthodox Church in Aurora, Illinois, the winner of the 2025 Senior Iconography Division. We hope that you will print and display it in a prominent location in your parish.
2026 Metropolis Festival Poster
Festival Day Information
Additional information regarding the Awards Luncheon, hotel information in the Minneapolis, Minnesota area, and a schedule for the day of the Metropolis Festival will be sent to those who register as the date draws nearer.
2026 National Festival
The National Festival, which includes the Metropolis winners for the Speech category only, is scheduled to take place during the weekend of June 12, 2026 at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Northridge, California.
2025 Metropolis Festival Book
Click on the following link to view our 2025 Metropolis Festival Book.
2025 Metropolis Festival Photos
Click on the following link to view our 2025 Oratorical Festival photographs, taken by Lex Alexander.
2025 National Festival
Congratulations to Constantine Zouras (Ascension of Our Lord, Lincolnshire, IL) and Nicole Mulla (St. George, Chicago, IL), our Chicago Metropolis representatives for Senior and Junior Speech, respectively, who participated at the National Oratorical Festival at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania during the weekend of May 30th – June 1, 2025. Congratulations to Constantine and Nicole!
Event Sponsorship
For 42 years, the youth of our Metropolis have been given a forum to share their love of Jesus Christ and witness their Orthodox faith. Whether through the medium of speech or essay, poetry or iconography, vocal solo or vocal chant, the youth of our Metropolis have expressed their faith for more than four decades. We are honored to continue this tradition in 2026 at the Metropolis Festival.
Thanks to the generosity of individuals and organizations across our Metropolis, we have been able to expand the offerings of our Metropolis Festival over time, appealing to the diverse strengths and interests of our youth. A few years ago, we increased the scholarships awarded to our first-place speech participants to help cover their travel costs to the National Festival. We have also extended these gifts to first-place participants across the other five categories.
As someone who has given of your time, talents, and treasures in support of Orthodoxy, we ask that you consider including this year’s Metropolis Festival as a recipient of your philanthropic giving. With your help, we can once again organize a memorable program for our youth and their families—one that will strengthen their faith and warm their hearts. Please check back soon for our updated Donation Letter, Donation Submission Form, and Online Submission Form.
Contact Information
We ask that you forward this Metropolis Festival information to everyone at your parish who is involved in a youth ministry, as well as parents of your church school registrants. In the meantime, please do not hesitate to e-mail or call us with any questions. We look forward to celebrating with everyone on Bright Saturday, April 18, 2026!
Metropolis Oratorical Festival Committee
E-mail: oratoricalfestival@gmail.com
Rev. Fr. Luke Melackrinos (Metropolis)
Rev. Fr. George Dokos (Holy Apostles)
Andrea Tsakopoulos (Co-Chair) (St. Demetrios)
Audrey Polite (Co-Chair) (St. Demetrios)
Theo Covello (St. Demetrios)
Cathy Hareas (Annunciation)
Maria Kardasis (SS. Peter & Paul)
Denise Kus (St. Demetrios)
Kathy Siavelis (St. Andrew)
Joanne Stavrakas (Annunciation)
Eirene Stavropoulos (St. John the Baptist)
Carole Yarovsky (St. Demetrios)
Debra Yarovsky (Descent of the Holy Ghost)
Tina Yarovsky (St. Demetrios)
Diakonissa Mary Zaharis (St. Nectarios)