Oratorical Festival Overview
2023 Timeline
Parish Festival – March 26:
Saint Paul’s Parish-Level Festival will take place on Sunday, March 26, 2023 at 12:30 pm in the Event Center. A light Lenten Lunch will be provided to speakers and their families.
Elementary level speakers make speak on any topic related to church and faith, between 30 seconds and 2 minutes.
The Junior and Senior levels are judged. Speakers in these levels must speak on one of the topics in their category, within the time range. Topic assistance will be provided in Church School classes during February and March.
Southern California District Festival – April
The District Festivals will take place during the month of April.
Metropolis Festival:
The Metropolis level Oratorical Festival will take place in person at Saint Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center (Dunlap, CA) on Saturday, May 13, 2022 at 9:00 am
National Festival – June:
The National level Oratorical Festival will take place June 9-11, 2023, and will be hosted by the Metropolis of New Jersey at St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Clifton.
Junior and Senior Speakers start here
Three Easy Steps for Speakers
1) Let your parish Chairperson know that you are planning to participate.
2) Register at the archdiocese on this form.
3) Select a topic (see topics on this page) and prepare your speech. Be bold! Let light shine out of darkness!
2023 Topics for Junior and Senior Speakers
Topics
Junior Division (Grades 7–9)
(Minimum 3 minutes, Maximum 4 minutes)
TOPIC 1
Orthodox tradition teaches that the saints remain spiritually active
beyond their earthly life. Discuss how we ask the Saints to intercede and
pray for us and why.
TOPIC 2
Orthodox Christians honor the Virgin Mary, the Most Holy Theotokos.
What does the Orthodox Church believe about her and her role in our
salvation?
TOPIC 3
The sacraments are the mysteries of the Church through which God
gives us His grace by actions, words, and material objects (for example,
oil, wine, and bread). Pick one sacrament and explain its meaning.
TOPIC 4
Jesus models and teaches humility throughout His life and ministry. Discuss the challenges of living according to Jesus’ teachings in a society
that does not necessarily emphasize humility.
TOPIC 5
Consider and discuss why and how icons are central to our faith and
Orthodox practice.
Senior Division (Grades 10–12)
(Minimum 4 minutes, Maximum 5 minutes)
TOPIC 1
The Ecumenical Patriarchate in Constantinople is the highest seat and the
Mother Church of Orthodox Christians. The Ecumenical Patriarch is the spiritual leader of 300 million Orthodox Christians worldwide. Discuss how the Patriarchate has been a symbol of unity, a source of missionary growth, an advocate
of dialogue among Christians, and a defender of the historical Orthodox Faith.
TOPIC 2
During times of crisis, our faith is tested. How are Orthodox Christians taught
to understand and manage pain and suffering?
TOPIC 3
The Christian message in C.S. Lewis’s The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
has influenced many believersof Christ.How has another work of fiction
inspired people to seek Jesus Christ?
TOPIC 4
We have lived through a pandemic and emerged with deep societal divides.
How can our faith in Christ heal us and take us forward together?
TOPIC 5
The Resurrection of Jesus Christ both transforms the relationship between
God and humanity and alters the course of history. How would you explain its
significance to someone who has not heard about it or is unsure if God exists?