Orthodox students ages 5 to 18 are invited to enter a hand-drawn poster contest marking Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew’s 35th enthronement anniversary and his work on environmental stewardship.
The Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate announced the inaugural Ecumenical Patriarch Poster Contest on July 30 through its Sprouts Program. The nationwide contest is open to eligible students through parishes and schools across the country. Entries opened August 1 and must be submitted by October 1.
Twelve artworks across three age categories will be selected, with the winners announced October 17 during Archon Weekend, scheduled for October 15 through 18 in New York City.
Eligible participants include Sunday school students from Orthodox jurisdictions under the spiritual guidance of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Students attending Orthodox Christian schools from kindergarten through 12th grade may also enter, along with students at other Christian schools with a strong Orthodox presence.
Each poster must display the phrase “The Green Patriarch” in full on the front. Patriarch Bartholomew was enthroned on November 2, 1991. His advocacy for the protection of the environment has earned him the widely used designation “the Green Patriarch.”
Entries must be created by one student, and team submissions are not permitted. Students may not trace or copy photographs or another artist’s work, and AI-generated content is prohibited. Younger students may receive planning guidance from a parent or teacher, but they must complete the artwork themselves.
Paint, crayons, colored pencils, charcoal, paper, stickers, and other traditional materials may be used. Mixed-media work is also permitted, and an 8-by-10-inch format is preferred.
Completed posters must be scanned flat, straight, and properly cropped, then uploaded as PDF files. The organizers discourage photographs of the artwork because they may produce distortion or reduce image quality.
Half of each entry’s score will be based on how clearly it communicates a conservation message. Visual effectiveness accounts for 30 percent, while originality and universal appeal each account for 10 percent. The artwork must also include an Orthodox symbol or reference.
The Sprouts Program provides lessons introducing students to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and issues affecting the Orthodox Church. Materials are organized by grade level, from preschool through high school, and are available in English and Spanish.
Parents, teachers, and parish educators can review the official contest rules and entry form through the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Questions may be directed to sprouts@archons.org.