GOYA: Greek Orthodox Youth of America
GOYA is the official youth ministry program of the Greek Orthodox Church in America. It was founded in the United States in 1951 for Orthodox Christian teenagers in grades 7-12, ages 13-18. This organization was created by the Greek Archdiocese of America to give local parishes a structure to help teenagers deepen their faith and build their respective communities.
This structure would focus on several precepts, including:
- Worship (Liturgical) -participating in church life and the sacraments
- Fellowship –Social gatherings, retreats, and athletic events
- Service – Volunteer and Charity opportunities
- Witness – Living out and sharing the Orthodox Christian faith and traditions