By: Athina Vella – St. Andrew’s Church Randolph, NJ     Every year, the host church for the St. John Chrysostom National Oratorical Festival asks previous national finalists in...
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THANKSGIVING AND STEWARDSHIP by Fr Alexander G. Leondis We are found in the season of Thanksgiving when we offer gratitude to God as a nation and as individuals for His...
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In honor of Clergy Appreciation month, this is a message of appreciation to the various priests who have served to nurture the staff members of the Center for Family Care in the Orthodox...
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Stop! I need your attention for a moment. ... Stop everything you are doing right now and read this article. I promise you and your parishioners will be glad you did.  Cyber...
Read MoreAboutNo, Your Priest Does Not Want You To Buy Gift Cards for a Parishioner in Need »

By Presvytera Melanie DiStefano     “Anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me .” (Matt 10:37)   ...
Read MoreAboutSaint Sophia’s Holy Paradox: Loving God First Is Loving Your Children More »

If You Believe, You Will Become   Jordan Peterson is a modern day author and clinical psychologist notoriously featured in the media because of his outspoken views on controversial...
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We sense that something needs to be done. We see the trends. Attendance is down. We are celebrating fewer weddings and baptisms. Funerals are holding steady. Stewardship is declining. We clearly...
Read MoreAboutSo You've Formed a Parish Outreach Committee... »

For anyone who suffers from grief, depression, sorrow, or anxiety, the Paraklesis is a welcome salve to the soul. Although the gospel message of Jesus Christ is one of joy, the Paraklesis service recognizes that everyone, from time to time, experiences emotional and spiritual pain.
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  Click HERE to watch the latest "Be the Bee" featuring Archbishop Elpidophoros as he and Steve discuss the stewardship of our many gifts.  
Read MoreAboutStewards of the Gifts of God »

what can we learn about family prayer from a monastic family?
Read MoreAboutA Delightful Surprise Part II »

You may be following the story in the news of late of the French man, Vincent Lambert, whose injuries in a 2008 car crash left him brain damaged and a quadriplegic. His parents have been seeking international legal recourse to prevent “his assassination” (as deemed by his father Pierre) by a French court ruling that his life support be ceased.
Read MoreAboutA House Divided: A Family’s Fight for Vincent Lambert’s Life, and Death »

YOUTH STEWARDSHIP with Y2AM's Steven Christoforou   Click HERE to View the Webinar Hosted by Stacey Stathulis  
Read MoreAboutYouth Stewardship with Steven Christoforou »

By Presvytera Melanie DiStefano “Being a physician, he came to Constantinople, where he so distinguished himself for his…love for the sick and the poor…” St. Sampson’s love for the sick...
Read MoreAboutThe Example of Saint Sampson: Encouragement for the Caregiver’s Soul »

I used to be fearful of pruning my rose bushes, wanting them to have full freedom to grow any which way they would. I didn’t want to be like a highly caffeinated hairdresser lopping off more than enough inches, leading to something that looked like a shearing rather than a trim. ‘Don’t be afraid to prune’ gardening experts say, “pruning leads to new growth and continued blooming”.
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To say social media is ubiquitous (for good or for ill) might be the greatest understatement ever - there are 1.2 billion Facebook users alone. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, SnapChat...
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Working in the Church isn't easy. Neither is working in Pawnee. Here are 4 things I Steve learned from Leslie Knope.
Read MoreAbout4 Things Leslie Knope Taught Me About Church Work »

  Similar to many first-time Oratorical Festival Teens, Demetra Ganias Soterakis decided to participate in the event alongside friends and classmates because it was an annual Sunday...
Read MoreAboutMeet Demetra Ganias Soterakis: An Oratorical Teen turned News Anchor and Mom »

The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) was established on June 21st, 1946 to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment . The Commission, supported by UN Women , establishes...
Read MoreAboutWomen Who Bloom: The Intersection of CSW63 & Women in the Church »

Palm Sunday is fast approaching. Our churches will once again be filled with the faithful we love, but don’t see as often as we would like. Our first inclination may be to scold or at least lay on...
Read MoreAboutPALM SUNDAY -- MAKE THEM WANT TO COME BACK! »

A look at two kinds of compunction, and what they both mean for our spiritual lives.
Read MoreAboutTowards Compunction: Opening Our Hearts to the Grace of God »

Stewardship Ministries of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese has developed parish resources for Planned Giving to assist the faithful in their estate planning and end-of-life concerns while...
Read MoreAboutPLANNED GIVING RESOURCES FOR YOUR PARISH »

You’ve written your Oratorical speech using our five preparation tips. But writing is just one part of making a great speech, now you have to present it in front of an audience. If you’re nervous, that’s completely normal. Everyone gets nervous about public speaking. But with practice (in front of a mirror or other people), you will build up your confidence. And if you learn to use your charisma, you can be interesting and persuasive when sharing your message with the world. Here are some speaking strategies that will help you give an effective speech
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  In the fall of 1983 -- the very first year of the Oratorical Festival -- Mike Emanuel’s parish priest, Father Alexander Leondis encouraged all the GOYAns to participate in the...
Read MoreAboutMeet Mike Emanuel: An Oratorical Teen turned Political Correspondent »

A free new Bible Study resource for the Triodion Period (the Sunday of the Publican & Pharisee through Holy Saturday).
Read MoreAboutFree "Live the Word" Bible Study Guide for the Triodion »

So, your Sunday School teacher, parent, Godparent, or friend told you about the St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival. After some consideration, you are leaning towards trying it. Besides getting up in front of an audience to present your speech, one other thing is holding you back...actually writing a speech. While this might be your first time writing a speech, this skill is something that you’ll use throughout your life. Learning it now will help you in the future.
Read MoreAbout5 Tips on Preparing Your Speech »