The Greek Orthodox Youth of America, or GOYA, is a ministry within the greater Ministry of Youth, Young Adult and Family in the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Denver. GOYA ministers to teenagers of the Metropolis of Denver in junior high or high school (7th to 12th grades). In some communities, 6th graders are in junior high school or middle school with 7th and 8th grade students. 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.

If you have recently graduated from highschool and are over eighteen years of age, please check out YAL: https://youth.denver.goarch.org/yal

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

You can find GOYA Ministry Plans, from Y2AM (Youth and Young Adult Ministries) for your parish: https://www.y2am.org/ministryplan

Greek Orthodox Youth of America