Research

The Research activity is an opportunity for participants to go deeper in their faith. They will research, exchange ideas, and improve their communication skills.

The research activity includes two categories: Classic Essay and Poster. 

While both the Poster and the Classic Essay require the same level of deep study and theological accuracy, they differ fundamentally in how they communicate information.

If you are choosing between the two, here are the three main differences:

1. Visual vs. Linear Communication

• The Essay is linear. The reader starts at the first word and reads through to the end. It relies on paragraphs, transitions, and detailed descriptions to build an argument.

• The Poster is non-linear. A viewer can look at a diagram first, then read the conclusion, then look at the introduction. It uses "eye-paths" (arrows, numbered boxes, or layout) to guide the reader. A poster is designed to be understood in 3–5 minutes.

2. Conciseness vs. Depth

• The Essay allows you to explore every detail. You can explain the "why" and "how" of a theological point in great detail over several pages.

• The Poster requires summarisation. You must "distill" your research. Instead of a long paragraph about a Saint’s life, you might use a timeline. Instead of describing a church's architecture, you would use a labeled diagram.

3. "Showing" vs. "Telling"

• The Essay "tells" the story. Your tools are your vocabulary, sentence structure, and quotes.

• The Poster "shows" the story. You use color coding, icons, high-quality images, and bold headers. In a poster, white space (empty space) is actually a tool—it keeps the information from looking cluttered, whereas in an essay, empty space is just wasted paper.

Choose the Essay if you love writing, have a lot of complex information to explain, and want to dive deep into the text.

Choose the Poster if you are good at graphic design, prefer summarizing information into bullet points, and want to use visuals (like icons, maps, or photos) to explain your topic.

Guidelines:

• The research activity could be a solo or group activity for school year 3 and up 

• Group size is 2-7 participants

• You cannot use AI tools like ChatGPT or other text/image/video generators to create any part of your submission. The judges will use detection tools to check for AI-generated content, and any such content will be disqualified.

• The research paper must be related to the Festival theme and answering a specific "thesis" or research question.

• A bibliography must be included with the submission, but it will not be counted towards the final word count.

• Accuracy in spelling, punctuation, and grammar. Even on a poster, professional writing is required.

•  The work must be original and written by the participant. Plagiarism is strictly prohibited and will result in a lower score. If the content is deemed inappropriate for the participant's age level, the work will be disqualified.

• Submissions must be in digital format as PDF file, using Arial 12-point font with double spacing. Include a plain title page clearly stating your church, your name, age group, and the title of your work.

• Please upload your submission to the Google Drive folder for your respective age group.

• Below is a list of suggested topics that connect with this year’s theme.

• Classic Essay consideration

  • • Recommended word count per grade for classic essay:

      • YR.3 and 4: 200-300 words

      • YR.5 and 6: 600-800 words

      • YR.7 to 9: 1200-1500 words

      • YR. 10 to 13: max 2000 words

      • Adults: max 3000 words

  • Word count should be added at the end of the research file.

• Poster consideration

  • Typography: Any text on the poster should be clear and legible. For any accompanying descriptions, use Arial 12-point font.

  • Diagrams & Images: You are encouraged to include diagrams, icons, and illustrations to support your research.

Steps for research:

• Select a topic and think of a specific thesis (have a question your research will answer)

• Choose appropriate resources (books, online publications, etc.)

• Identify the key information you will use and its source (through highlighting, annotating, etc.)

• Reword the key information in your own words

• Add the reworded information to your final copy

• Include your source in your bibliography

Evaluation Criteria:

• Is your research relevant to the essay title. 70%

  •  Relevant contents 20%

  • Depth of the contents 20%

  • Logical flow of the discussion 15%

  • Theological accuracy 15%

• Writing Conventions (Spelling, punctuation and grammar): 10%

• Presentation of the Research: 10%

• Bibliography: 10% 

Topics:

Age group 3 to 4:

• Jesus Gives Me Courage – Objective: Explore how Jesus helps His children be brave when they feel afraid, sad, or weak.

• David and Goliath: God Is Stronger Than Big Problems – Objective: Show how David’s victory teaches that God’s power is greater than the things that scare us.

• The Three Holy Children: Faith in the Fire – Objective: Explain how the three youths stayed faithful in the fiery furnace and what that teaches us about trusting God.

• Daniel in the Lions’ Den: Safe with God – Objective: Research how Daniel trusted God in danger and how children today can trust God in hard times.

• The Cross of Christ: A Sign of Love and Victory – Objective: Describe why Christians honor the Cross and how the Cross shows Christ’s victory over evil.

• A Saint Who Chose Christ Over Fear – Objective: Choose one saint, such as St. George or MarMina, and explain how love for Christ made that saint victorious.

• God’s Love Never Leaves Us – Objective: Use simple Bible stories to show that God stays with His children even during difficult moments.

• Winning by Forgiving – Objective: Explain how forgiving others, like Joseph forgave his brothers, is a Christian kind of victory.

Age group 5 to 6:

• What Does “More Than Conquerors” Mean? – Objective: Study Romans 8:37 and explain what Christian victory means.

• Joseph: From Suffering to Forgiveness – Objective: Analyze how Joseph conquered pain, jealousy, and anger through faith and forgiveness.

• The Resurrection of Christ: The Greatest Victory – Objective: Research how Christ’s Resurrection defeated death and gave hope to the world.

• St. Moses the Strong: Victory Over Sin – Objective: Explore how repentance transformed St. Moses from a violent life into a holy one.

• Esther: Courage, Prayer, and Deliverance – Objective: Show how Esther’s faith, wisdom, and courage helped save her people.

• The Cross Looks Like Defeat, but It Is Victory – Objective: Explain why Christians see the Cross as triumph and not as failure.

• Nothing Can Separate Us from the Love of Christ – Objective: Study Romans 8:35-39 and connect it to daily Christian life.

• The Armor of God in the Christian Life – Objective: Explore Ephesians 6 and explain how truth, righteousness, faith, and prayer help believers stand firm.

Age group 7 to 9:

• Romans 8:31-39: Why St. Paul Calls Believers “More Than Conquerors” – Objective: Analyze the passage in context and explain how victory comes through Christ’s love rather than worldly power.

• Martyrdom as Victory in the Coptic Orthodox Church – Objective: Research why the Church honors martyrs as victors and how their witness strengthened the faith.

• The Resurrection and the Defeat of Death – Objective: Explore how Orthodox theology understands Christ’s Resurrection as the foundation of Christian hope.

• St. Athanasius and the Victory of Orthodox Faith – Objective: Study how St. Athanasius defended true doctrine during the Arian controversy.

• St. Antony and the Battle Against Temptation – Objective: Examine how the desert fathers understood inner struggle as a path to spiritual victory.

• Repentance and Confession as Victory Over Sin – Objective: Explain how the sacramental life of the Church helps believers overcome sin and return to Christ.

• Holy Week and Pascha: From Suffering to Triumph – Objective: Investigate how Coptic hymns, readings, and rites present the Cross and Resurrection together.

• Christian Victory in a World of Pressure – Objective: Reflect on how Orthodox teachings help young people face fear, peer pressure, discouragement, and temptation.

Age group 10 to 13:

• Romans 8:37 in Its Full Biblical Context – Objective: Offer an exegetical study of Romans 8:31-39, focusing on suffering, hope, and the love of Christ.

• “More Than Conquerors” in the Writings of the Church Fathers – Objective: Compare patristic interpretations of Christian victory and explain their relevance today.

• The Theology of the Cross as Paradoxical Victory – Objective: Analyze how Orthodoxy understands the Cross as both sacrifice and triumph.

• Martyrdom and Witness in Coptic History – Objective: Study one historical period or group of martyrs and explain why martyrdom is seen as conquest through faith.

• Spiritual Warfare in Orthodox Ascetic Thought – Objective: Explore how prayer, fasting, watchfulness, and repentance are understood as weapons in the spiritual life.

• The Resurrection as the Center of Christian Identity – Objective: Examine how the Resurrection shapes Orthodox theology, worship, and daily life.

• Endurance Under Persecution in the Modern Coptic Church – Objective: Research how contemporary believers respond to suffering with faith, forgiveness, and witness.

• Saints as Models of Victorious Love – Objective: Compare two saints from different centuries and evaluate how each conquered evil through holiness rather than force.

Adults:

• Exegetical and Theological Study of Romans 8:31-39 – Objective: Examine the literary, theological, and pastoral dimensions of the passage, with special attention to verse 37.

• Christian Victory and Union with Christ in Orthodox Theology – Objective: Explore how salvation in Christ leads believers to victory over sin, death, and despair.

• Patristic Readings of Suffering and Triumph – Objective: Study how selected Church Fathers interpret suffering not as abandonment, but as participation in Christ.

• Martyrdom in Coptic Memory: From the Early Church to the Present – Objective: Trace how the Coptic Church preserves martyrdom as a living theology of victory.

• The Cross and Resurrection in Coptic Liturgical Theology – Objective: Analyze how prayers, hymns, and feast theology present victory through self-offering and divine love.

• Monasticism and the Conquest of the Passions – Objective: Investigate how the desert tradition describes victory over anger, pride, lust, and despair through ascetic struggle.

• The Eucharist as Strength for Spiritual Conquest – Objective: Research how communion nourishes believers to endure suffering and remain united to Christ.

• The Difference Between Worldly Power and Evangelical Victory – Objective: Contrast secular ideas of conquest with the Orthodox understanding of humility, sacrifice, and faithful endurance.