The Metropolis Oratorical Festival Finals were held on Saturday, May 11, 2013 at the Metropolis of Boston in Brookline, MA.  This was the 30th anniversary of the St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival, a ministry of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Department of Religious Education.

 

His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios opened the event with the singing of Christos Anesti, followed by the opening prayer and words of encouragement for our participants.

 

Sixteen young adults in grades 7 through 12 from throughout the Metropolis presented very well prepared speeches on topics about Greek Orthodox theology and on church life.

 

The eight finalists in the junior division, listed by speaking order were: Francesca Skedros from St. Demetrios Church in Weston, MA; Sarah Billis from St. Sophia Church in New London, CT; Philip Economou from St. Spyridon Cathedral in Worcester, MA; Costas Vergados fro Ss. Constantine and Helen Church in Andover, MA; Kyros Vergados from Ss. Constantine and Helen Church in Andover, MA; Sarah Christo from St. Gregory Church in Mansfield, MA; Christiana Stamas from St. George Cathedral in Springfield, MA; and Sophia Kyrou from St. Athanasius Church in Arlington, MA.

 

The first place finalist in the junior divison was Costas Vergados, the second place finalist was Francesca Skedros, and Philip Economou and Christiana Stamas were tied for third place.

 

The eight finalists in the senior division, listed by speaking order were: Sophia Petrou from Annunciation Church in Cranston, RI; Juliana Bologa from St. Luke Church in East Longmeadow, MA; Katina Smith from St. George Cathedral in Manchester, NH; Susan Kourtis from St. Demetrios Church in Weston, MA; Peter Bowling from St. Athanasius Church in Arlington, MA; Basil Vergados from Ss. Constantine and Helen Church in Andover, MA; Eleni Giannopoulos from St. Spyridon Church in Newport, RI; and Andrew Dasco from St. Luke Church in East Longmeadow, MA.

 

The first place finalist in the senior division was Basil Vergados, the second place finalist was Susan Kourtis, and the third place finalist was Eleni Giannopoulos.

 

The two first place finalists will represent the Metropolis of Boston at the national finals June 7-9, 2013 at the Annunciation Church in Memphis, TN.

 

His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios congratulated all of the young participants for their presentations and for a job well done.  His Eminence also announced that the first, second, and third place finalists in each division would receive a camp scholarship for the 2013 Camp Summer Program.  His Eminence closed with the singing of Christos Anesti and with a closing prayer.

 

The 2013 Metropolis Oratorical Festival Committee members and regional coordinators were: Michael Constantinou from Worcester, MA; Elaine Otto from Cranston, RI: Nikki Stournaras from Weston, MA; Soula Varaklis from Portland, ME; and the chairman and Metropolis coordinator was the V. Rev. Archimandite Agathonikos M. Wilson of Concord, NH.