In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, the One and Only God, Amen. St. Mark Festival 2011: general information, rules, topics and schedule St. Mary Coptic Orthodox Church – Ottawa, Canada 3 July 2011

presentation outline overall information, rules and contacts topics teams - summary schedule registration outstanding information

overall information, rules & contacts rules /guidelines in to be followed as far as practicable – rules in distributed document are supplementarywww.mahragan.ca regional competition « FINALS » - Montreal/Ottawa – in Ottawa – Sep 3 for Gr 4-6 and 7-11 St. Mary and St. George will compete locally for SKG & Gr1-3 age groups represented by grades must be strictly observed non-competitive event for Gr12 and up on July 9&10 and 16&17 – check zero tolerance for improper behaviour and/or language

overall information, rules (cont.) all semi-final competitions to be held locally (in Ottawa and Montreal) professional refereeing for sports events players must wear their designated team uniforms - Montreal churches: red for St. Mark, blue for St. Mary and yellow for St. George - Ottawa uniform colours yet to be determined sports events: soccer, basketball and badminton for girls, plus soccer and basketball for boys

overall information, rules (cont.) this is a church competition with spiritual overtones – spiritual content and overall behaviour should reflect this aspect - each sporting event will be preceded by a prayer “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matt. 6:33) in addition to spiritual, Gr4-6 and 7-11 competitions will cover sports, Coptic language and hymns, in accordance with the Festival’s curriculum and the specific topics given below - no competitions in research, drama, mime, music, creative writing or multimedia technology

overall information, rules (cont.) spiritual exam questions to be jointly set by one representative, yet to be nominated, from each of Ottawa and Montreal – questions will be clear - up to 7 members from each church will pass a power point exam before a group of judges consisting of a judge from each church - for Gr4-6, one team per church will compete - for Gr7-11, two teams per church will compete: 7-8 and 9-11 a similar approach to be followed for SKG & Gr1-3 (setting clear exams, judging, teams)

overall information, rules (cont.) spiritual, hymns and Coptic language competitions: a number of questions (most likely two) to be answered by each competing team (discussion among team members will be allowed) plus other questions to be addressed to team members individually (no discussion is allowed) Coptic language and hymns: one team from each church for Coptic and likewise for hymns - maximum of one participant may be on both teams – min 3 participants/team Sep3: activities to take place in parallel – detailed schedule to be published shortly – skits and songs in between (likely) – about 9 hours total

overall information, rules (cont.) one prize per participant – plus one prize per winner – plus one trophy per winning team coordinators/contacts: –Father George for St. George –George Ishack for St. Mary –George Ishack for Ottawa –Hany Ghobrial for Montreal

topics – SKG & Gr1 - 3 SKG The spiritual topics and memorization are yet to be determined. The hymns will be: –Pi-ehmot Ghar (the short one) –Ge-Peniot (Gospel's response for Saturdays, Sundays and the concluding Friday of the Geat Lent (Fast tune) –Alleluia Fai Pe Pi Eho-ou - A video will be circulated for the Coptic language part.

topics – SKG & Gr1 – 3 (cont.) Gr1 – 2 Spiritual: –Jesus teaches me to rejoice and be kind –Jesus teaches me to trust Him –Jesus teaches me to thank Him Memorization : –Psalms 8 & 121, “Prayer for the Unction of the Sick.” Hymns and Coptic language: –Similar to SKG.

topics – SKG & Gr1 – 3 (cont.) Gr3 Spiritual: –All six topics given in the Festival’s curriculum Memorization : –John 1: Hymns and Coptic language: –Similar to SKG.

topics – grades 4-6 Spiritual: –The Lord Jesus Christ redeemed me. –My Lord Jesus is with me all the time. –My Lord Jesus taught me to have a well-rounded personality. Memorization (Vespers – Canonical Hours): –Psalm 124 (125 in the canonical hours) “Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion.” – Gospel (Luke 4:38-41)

topics – grades 4-6 (cont.) Coptic language: –The Coptic alphabet –Words from “Our Father” –Learning how to read “Our Father” Hymns: –“Pi-Oik” first three verses –Doxology of the Heavenly Orders “Shashf en-arshy angelos” NOTE:Grade 4 will study the Grade 5/6 topics

topics – grades 7-11 Spiritual: –Christ is our life. –Know your Bible. –“An eye witness.....” till the end of the general questions. Memorization: –Third hour Gospel. –Psalm 22 (23) “The Lord is my Shepherd.”

topics – grades 7-11 (cont.) Coptic language: –All the letters of the alphabet. –All the words associated with “Our Father.” – Other simple words with letters similar to the English language. –Other simple words with letters dissimilar to the English language.

topics – grades 7-11 (cont.) Hymns: –“Alleluya” – the first three verses of the distribution for Saturdays and Sundays of the Great Lent. –The first three verses of “Rejoice O Mary:” first and third in Arabic and the second in Coptic.

teams - summary GrSKG, 1-2, 3: –7 members (or less) for spiritual –3 members (or more) for Coptic –3 members (or more) for hymns – one common participant is allowed between Coptic and hymns

teams – summary (cont.) Gr4 – 6: –7 members (or less) for spiritual –3 members (or more) for Coptic –3 members (or more) for hymns – one common participant is allowed between Coptic and hymns –basketball, soccer and badminton teams for girls –basketball and soccer teams for boys

teams – summary (cont.) Gr7 – 11: –7 members (or less) for spiritual for Gr7-8 –7 members (or less) for spiritual for Gr9-11 –3 members (or more) for Coptic –3 members (or more) for hymns – one common participant is allowed between Coptic and hymns –basketball, soccer and badminton teams for girls –basketball and soccer teams for boys

grades 12 and up (tentative) non-competitive activities 2 weekends in July (9&10 and 16&17) July 16 in Ottawa spiritual prerequisite mixed teams for sports

schedule Summer camp: –Grades SKG-6: Tuesdays 7-9 pm & Saturdays 5-7 pm. –Grades 7-11: Wednesdays and Thursdays 7-9 pm. Finals: –Sep 3 in Ottawa Semi-finals: –Aug 20 in Ottawa Grades SKG, 1-2, 3 (local) –TBD

registration registration forms are on the Festival’s website:

outstanding information a-Exact schedule of Saturday September 3 rd b-A decision on whether the July activity for Grades 12 and up will take place c-Schedule for the Grade 4-6 and 7-11 semi-finals in Ottawa d-Topics for GrSKG e-Date for the St. Mary/St. George, Ottawa, GrSKG, 1-2, 3 competition (tentatively set for Aug 13) f-Names of examiners, judges and referees.

GOD BLESS