Saint Demetrios “David & Georgia Pereira” Church School

Panagiota Perlegis (Director)

Growing in Faith • Learning Our Traditions • Building Our Parish Family

The Saint Demetrios Church School warmly welcomes the children and teens of our parish, ages 3 through 18, to grow in their knowledge and love of our Orthodox Christian faith.

Our goal is not simply to teach lessons, but to help our young people develop a meaningful relationship with Christ and His Church, understand the traditions of our Greek Orthodox faith, and recognize that they are an important part of our Saint Demetrios parish family.

Students are placed in age-appropriate classes led by dedicated teachers and, when available, assistant teachers. Our Church School works closely with our Pastor, Church School Director, School Board, parents, and volunteers to provide a welcoming and enriching religious education experience for every child.

Our curriculum follows the guidance of the Department of Religious Education of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Throughout the year, our teachers continue their own spiritual growth through meetings with our clergy and Church School leadership, Bible studies, seminars, and participation in the sacramental and liturgical life of the Church.

Faith Comes Alive Beyond the Classroom

Church School is much more than a Sunday classroom experience. Our students are encouraged to actively participate in the life of the Church through Divine Liturgy, prayer, the Holy Sacraments, service, fellowship, charitable outreach, retreats, workshops, and parish events.

Throughout the year, our Church School community comes together for many special traditions and activities, including:

  • Beginning of the Year Agiasmos (Blessing)

  • Church School Registration and Welcome Breakfast

  • Visits and support for Saint Basil Academy

  • Religious Education programs and conferences

  • Christmas Pageant

  • Youth Choir

  • Godparents Sunday

  • Lenten Retreats

  • Saturday of Lazarus Confession, Breakfast & Palm Weaving

  • Prosforon and Kolyva Workshops

  • Charitable and missionary outreach, including support for OCMC and other Orthodox Christian ministries

  • Volunteer opportunities within our parish

  • End-of-Year Graduation & Moving-Up Ceremony

Through these experiences, we hope our children learn that Orthodox Christianity is not simply something we study—it is a faith that we live, celebrate and share together.

Oratorical Festival

Saint John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival

Discover Your Faith. Find Your Voice. Share It With Others.

The Saint John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival is one of the most meaningful opportunities available to the young people of our Church School. Sponsored nationally by the Department of Religious Education of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, the program brings together faith, education, and fellowship while encouraging Orthodox Christian youth to explore their faith and develop valuable writing and public-speaking skills.

Established in 1983 and first held in 1984, the Oratorical Festival has grown into a nationwide ministry of the Archdiocese. Students select from topics provided by the Archdiocese and prepare speeches that encourage them to think more deeply about Orthodox Christianity, Holy Scripture, the teachings and traditions of the Church, and how our faith relates to the world in which we live today.

The program offers opportunities for students at several grade levels:

  • Elementary Division — Grades 4–6: participation at the local parish level.

  • Junior Division — Grades 7–9: students may advance from the parish level to District, Metropolis and ultimately the National Festival.

  • Senior Division — Grades 10–12: students may also advance through the parish, District and Metropolis levels to the National Festival.

At the Junior and Senior levels, top speakers have the opportunity to represent their parish as the Festival progresses. Students begin at their local parish festival, with qualifying speakers advancing to the District Festival, followed by the Metropolis Festival, and ultimately the National Saint John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival. National finalists gather for a weekend of fellowship and activities, highlighted by the presentation of their speeches.

More Than Public Speaking

Participating in the Oratorical Festival is about much more than standing in front of an audience.

Our students learn how to research a topic, organize their thoughts, express themselves confidently, defend their ideas thoughtfully, and speak about their Orthodox Christian faith in their own words. These are skills that can benefit them throughout high school, college, their professional careers, and their lives as active members of the Church.

Most importantly, the Festival gives our young people an opportunity to discover that their voice has a place in the Church. It challenges them to consider what they believe, why they believe it, and how they can carry their Orthodox Christian faith into their everyday lives.

Participants who advance through the program may also become eligible for awards and college scholarship opportunities. The Archdiocese provides awards to National Festival finalists, and additional scholarship opportunities are available through programs associated with the Festival, including the Chrysostom Scholarship for students accepted to Hellenic College.

Saint Demetrios Oratorical Festival

Our Saint Demetrios Oratorical Festival is traditionally held in March, and we warmly encourage our Church School students to participate—whether they are experienced speakers or trying public speaking for the very first time.

To help every student feel prepared and confident, Saint Demetrios offers a preparatory Public Speaking Seminarprior to the Festival. Participants receive guidance with selecting and understanding their topic, developing ideas, organizing and strengthening their speech, and learning techniques for delivering their presentation confidently and effectively.

No previous public-speaking experience is necessary. We want our students to learn, challenge themselves, deepen their faith and discover the confidence to share it.

Parents are encouraged to speak with their children about participating and to review the official topics and resources published by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese.

For additional assistance or information, please contact Mrs. Panagiota Perlegis or your child’s Church School teacher.

We encourage every eligible student to participate. Your child has something meaningful to say—and we would love to hear their voice.

2026 Finalists from Saint Demetrios:

Ellie Tzaras (2nd Place, Senior Division - Archdiocesan District Level and Honorable Mention at Metropolis Division Level)

Antonios Tsirigos (3rd Place, Junior Division - Archdiocesan District)

please click the following link: https://www.goarch.org/oratorical

To view the Oratorical Festival Manual, all forms, and all information, click the following link: https://www.goarch.org/-/st-john-chrysostom-oratorical-festival
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