Junior GOYA

Greek Orthodox Youth of America

The Greek Orthodox Youth of America, or GOYA, is a nation-wide ministry for 6th-8th graders.

The mission of GOYA Ministry is to strengthen the spiritual friendship of young Orthodox Christians with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (Christ is called in Greek the Φιλάνθρωπος, the friend of man). Central to this is acquiring a better understanding of who God the Holy Trinity is, who St. Mary the Mother of God is, who the Saints and Angels are, and how we, as those who are and are becoming members of His Body, the Church, approach the world around us. Church does not end with GOYA, a new life in Jesus Christ begins with Baptism, continues through the Sacraments and onward into eternity.

This ministry offers them the opportunity to experience the Faith in their own particular circumstances. This way, we hope to help lead them toward their own salvation, which is offered by Christ to all of us, regardless of our age.

GOYA incorporates four corners of Faith, which are:

Worship (Liturgia), Fellowship (Koinonia), Service (Diakonia), and Witness (Martyria). These are key components of a spiritually healthy Orthodox Christian lifestyle for all ages. Through the teaching and sharing of these important aspects through activities and through attending Church, families, which is to say children, youth, young adults and their parents are encouraged and supported to become well-rounded members of the Church community.

GOYA works to educate and edify young members of the Church, encouraging them to become active sacramental participants in the life of the Body of Christ. This ministry offers them the opportunity to experience the Faith, ultimately leading them to Salvation.

The above text is based in part on the GOYA Guidelines of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, which you can find here: https://www.goarch.org/-/youth-ministry-guidelines

2023 –2024 Officers:

President: Xanthe Kapos-Pullos

Vice President: Stamatis Zoumberakis

Communications Chair: Dimitra Dudley

Worship Leader: George Rebol

6th Grade Ambassador: Soula Lyhnakis

7th Grade Ambassador: Sophia Chatzis

8th Grade Ambassador: Nate Carras