2016 St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival - Parish Level - Summary

QUICK FACTS

Date: March 13, 2016

Time: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Place: Started and finished in Social Hall

Total No. of Speakers: 15 (+ 5 students in Grade 6)

Results: Please see below. All students received Honorable Mention.

Congratulations to all students who participated in our parish Oratorical Festival and delivered speeches!

They are all winners!

JUNIOR DIVISION SPEAKERS (Grades 6 & 7-9)

[Students with "Honorable Mention" are listed in alphabetical order.]

7th-9th Grade: 10 students presented their speeches:

  • Finalist: Anastasia Papageorgiou

  • (will represent St. Nicholas at the District level)

    • Runner-up: Stephanie Cotitsas

    • Runner-up: Sam Radwanski

    • Honorable Mention: Maya Abdallah

    • Honorable Mention: Alexandra Chalogianis

    • Honorable Mention: Gabriel Necula

    • Honorable Mention: Alex Roopas

    • Honorable Mention: Evan Roopas

    • Honorable Mention: Luke Savas

    • Honorable Mention: Luke Warhurst

6th grade participants:

Ethan Hochendoner, Zoe Patselas, Constantina Perakis,

Jonah Radwanski, and Alex Theros.

TOPICS: JUNIOR DIVISION (Grades 7-9)

    1. In the Old Testament we read that there is “a time to keep silence and a time to speak” (Ecclesiastes 3:7). What is the value of silence and quiet in a time when we are always “plugged in”?

    2. Jesus fed 5,000 people with five loaves and two fish (Matthew 14:13–21). Discuss what this miracle teaches about our ability to serve humanity.

    3. Discuss how icons play a helpful role in the prayer life of an Orthodox Christian.

    4. Houses of worship and congregations have always been thought of as a sanctuary of peace and serenity. Recently they have become the vulnerable targets of violent crimes. Discuss the attitude of Orthodox Christians toward this issue today.

    5. How might Orthodox Christians contribute and support the efforts to eliminate poverty and hunger in the world?

SENIOR DIVISION SPEAKERS (Grades 10-12)

[Students with "Honorable Mention" are listed in alphabetical order.]

10th-12th Grades: 5 students presented their speeches:

    • Finalist: Sophia Gibson

    • Runner-Up: Athina Res

    • Runner-Up: Chrysanthe Patselas

    • Honorable Mention: Frank Bairactaris

  • Honorable Mention: William Kiningham

TOPICS: SENIOR DIVISION (Grades 10-12)

    1. How does gathering as a community of Orthodox Christians to participate in the Divine Liturgy influence your daily life?

    2. In light of Genesis 1:24-27, the sixth day of creation, discuss how all living beings are connected and its impact on our responsibility for the planet.

    3. How do you respond to people who question your belief in God and participation in the life of the Church?

    4. Discuss how “the arts” (music, painting, sculpture, architecture, and others) can inspire a greater connection between God and an individual or community.

    5. Human trafficking (i.e., the exploitation and enslavement of women and children) remains a tragedy even today. We know that all human beings are created by God in His image (Genesis 1:27); therefore, how can we as Orthodox Christians help these victims and assist in the efforts to eliminate human trafficking?