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10 THE SHEPHERD • APRIL 2025 • SAINT SPYRIDON GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH OF SAN DIEGO Seven young orators participated in our par- ish’s St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival this year on March 16th. As always, it was inspiring to hear their rousing speeches. This year’s topics were especially wide-ranging. From church architecture to an exploration of the Ecumenical Patriarch as “first amongst equals” to anger and repetition in the Ortho- dox church and an exploration of the third Ecumenical Council. Congratulations to all the participants: Lucas Brown (Elementa- ry division), Elizabeth Dennis and Maria Paraskevopoulos (Junior Division), James Burrell, Emma Brown, Sia Paraskevopou- los and Hana Fitzenz (Senior Division). A special thank you to our Judges: Nikole- ta Georgakoudi, John (Arjan) Jooyan, and Thanos Karavokiris . And thanks to Kay Harkins , who served as our timekeeper. Maria Paraskevopoulos and Elizabeth Den- nis received the top two scores in the Junior category, respectively, and Sia Paraskevo- poulos and Hana Fitzenz received the top two scores in the Senior category. All four will go on to compete in the District Festival at Assumption Greek Orthodox Church in Long Beach on March 30th. Congratulations and good luck!