Welcome

Our parish is pleased to announce the 

2026 St. John Chrysostom Oratorical and Fine Arts Festival.  

Students in grades 3–12 are encouraged to participate in categories including Speech, Poetry, Iconography, Vocal Chant, and Vocal Solo.  

The Oratorical Festival  offers our youth a meaningful opportunity to  deepen their understanding of our faith and its application to the world today. 

Juniors and Seniors who participate in Oratory, Poetry, and Vocal chant will deliver their topics immediately following the Salutations to the Theotokos on Friday, March 6, 2026.  

Winners will advance to the Metropolis Festival on Bright Saturday, April 18, 2026, at St. Mary’s Greek Orthodox Church in Minneapolis. Finalists are also eligible for Chrysostom Scholarships to Hellenic College ranging from $2,500 to $30,000 per year.

All projects are due by Sunday, March 1, 2026.  Children can submit their projects to their Sunday School teachers on or before the deadline.   

All projects will be displayed in our community hall. Children who participate will receive a  special award and a pizza party after our Lenten season.  

All official topics, tips, and resources for Junior and Senior participants can be found by visiting https://chicago.goarch.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Final-2026-Oratorical-Festival-Topics-Tips-and-Resources.pdf.pdf

Parents of children in grades 3-6, 

please visit the church website to review topics, tips, and resources. 

For additional information, please contact Maria Baltsas at englishteacher30@yahoo.com.
Metropolis Information Packet: 

https://chicago.goarch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/2025-Packet.pdf? 

Tips and  resources: 

 https://chicago.goarch.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Final-2026-Oratorical-Festival-Topics-Tips-and-Resources.pdf.pdf? 

Middle School Division Letter: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1iExRTys_NcuxnCn4vSrdVIP_DuLLKomYZ_-HjBFZ00Q/edit?usp=sharing

Elementary Division Letter: 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dJ17SlW6QRbI7g3CjLFhVpyn4y4F8dhjCBhzi9qy6pY/edit?usp=sharing