|
2004 SAINT JOHN CHRYSOSTOM
ORATORICAL FESTIVAL
21st
National Oratorical Festival Hosted by The Metropolis of Detroit
By Presvytera Margaret Orfanakos
June 15, 2004
Contact: Rev. Dr. Frank Marangos
Tel: (617) 850-1218; Fax: (617) 850-1489
E-mail: frfrank@goarch.org
The Metropolis of
Detroit hosted the eighteen Metropolis Finalists of the national Saint John
Chrysostom Oratorical Festival during the weekend of June 4th-5th. The host
committee, lead by Rev. Philemon Karamanos and Mrs. Helen Gikas of St.
George Greek Orthodox Church in Southgate, Michigan planned a very
successful weekend!
Completing its
21st year, the St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival is a program of the
Department of Religious Education of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of
America, under the direction of Rev. Dr. Frank Marangos, providing teenagers
the opportunity to examine their faith and the platform from which to share
their good news. Since 1985, Rev. John Orfanakos and Presvytera Margaret
Orfanakos have served as Archdiocese Co-Chairmen.
The weekend
began when the members of the host committee greeted the finalists and their
families at the airport. Upon arrival at the hotel, they were again welcomed
and presented with a canvas gift bag filled with memorabilia of Detroit.
The official
gathering began with a Paraklesis Service at the St. George Church in
Southgate. His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas of Detroit officiated and
joined the finalists and their families for the entire weekend. Following
the welcome dinner and icebreaker by Ms. Eva Kokinos, Youth Director of the
Metropolis of Detroit, His Eminence met with all the finalists in a
"fire-side" chat.
The sun shone
brightly Saturday morning as everyone assembled in the church to hear the
speeches. Following the opening prayer by Metropolitan Nicholas, a welcome
by Fr. Philemon Karamanos, and greetings by Fr. Frank Marangos, previous
Oratorical Festival finalists took turns introducing each speaker. Each
speaker subsequently took his/her turn at the podium delivering a powerful
speech on his/her selected topic. The theme for the 2004 Oratorical Festival
was the Pentecostarion. Some of the topics addressed in the Junior Division
were: In Acts 6: 8-7:60, we read about the martyrdom of Saint Stephen. While
we may not be called to suffer martyrdom, how can we imitate his life? and
In the icon of the Resurrection, Christ is portrayed as pulling up Adam and
Eve. Explain the meaning of this portrayal. The Senior Division finalists
spoke on such topics as: Jesus replied to Thomas, "Blessed are those who
have seen and yet believe." John 20:29. Explain what this means to you as an
Orthodox Christian. and "Christ is Risen from the dead, by death He
conquered death and bestowed life to those in the tombs." Discuss the
meaning of the phrase, "by death, He conquered death."
The
presentation of awards was made immediately following an elegant luncheon at
the St. George Community Center. In the Senior Division, Mary Royal, (Denver
Metropolis, Holy Trinity Cathedral, Salt Lake City, UT) was awarded first
place and a $2,000 college scholarship, second place and a $1,500 college
scholarship went to Lia Eliades (San Francisco Metropolis, Nativity of
Christ Church, Novato, CA) and Daphne Pagonis (Atlanta Metropolis,
Annunciation Church, Pensacola, FL) received third place recognition and a
$1,000 college scholarship. Receiving Honorable Mention accolades and $500
US Savings Bonds were Andrew Pastrikos (Archdiocesan District, Kimisis tis
Theotokou Church, Poughkeepsie, NY), Vanessa Theoharis, (Boston Metropolis,
St. Demetrios Church, Weston, MA), Angela Koulouris (Chicago Metropolis, St.
Demetrios Church, Chicago, IL), Theresa Mellas (Detroit Metropolis,
Annunciation Church, Buffalo, NY), Larissa Newman (New Jersey Metropolis, SS
Peter & Paul Church, Frederick, MD), Peter Dikos (Pittsburgh Metropolis,
Holy Trinity Church, Pittsburgh, PA).
In the Junior
Division, Amanda Efthimiou, (Archdiocesan District, St. Paul Cathedral,
Hempstead, NY) was awarded first place and a $2,000 college scholarship,
second place and a $1,500 college scholarship went to George Platis (San
Francisco Metropolis, St. Spyridon Church, San Diego, CA), and Maria
Mavroudis (Pittsburgh Metropolis, Archangel Michael Church, Campbell, OH)
earned third place honors and a $1,000 college scholarship. Receiving
Honorable Mention and $500 US Savings Bonds were Sophia Kazakos, (Atlanta
Metropolis, Annunciation Church, Winston-Salem, NC), Rhiana Litchfield,
(Boston Metropolis, St. Demetrios Church, Weston, MA), Katherine Damisch,
(Chicago Metropolis, SS Peter & Paul Church, Glenview, IL), Dallas Holbeck,
(Denver Metropolis, Prophet Elias Church, Holladay, UT), Philip Tangalos
(Detroit Metropolis, St. John Church, Sterling Heights, MI), and Niko
Moustakis (New Jersey Metropolis, St. George Church, Clifton, NJ).
All
participants received a plaque honoring their achievements and a certificate
personally signed by His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios. The Metropolis of
Detroit also presented Fr. Frank Marangos with a donation of $5,200 for the
Oratorical Festival Scholarship Foundation.
The excitement
and enthusiasm of the day continued well into the evening. The next event
planned by the host committee was a delightful Detroit River boat cruise.
Following the cruise, a gathering was held in the spacious pavilion on the
picnic grounds of the St. George Church where all enjoyed a delicious
barbeque. Joining hands in Greek dance ended an exciting and outstanding
day.
On Sunday
morning, the finalists and their families attended a Hierarchical Divine
Liturgy at the Church of St. George and listened to an inspiring homily
given by His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas. Before departing for home,
everyone was once again treated to a delicious farewell luncheon, where
final goodbyes were exchanged. The host committee was recognized for their
tireless efforts in helping to make the Oratorical Festival weekend a most
cherished memory.
Since it's
never too early to begin thinking about the next Oratorical Festival, the
2005 Topics will be posted by the Department of Religious Education on its
website by September. Be sure to check them out at:
www.religioused.goarch.org.
Please also visit:
http://www.goarch.org/en/archdiocese/departments/religioused/oratorical/
2005 Oratorical Festival |2004 Oratorical Festival |
2003 Oratorical Festival
Oratorical Festival Speaker
Tips |
Oratorical Festival
Advisor
Tips
Home |
Back to Top
|
