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GOYA is a ministry
to Junior High and High School age
Greek Orthodox teenagers. Age specifications
are set at 13 through 18 years old
or teenagers who are in eighth through
twelfth grades.
Youth Ministry Foundation:
The Four Characteristics
The Archdiocesan
Office of Youth & Young Adult
Ministries recommends that GOYA ministry
be based on the four characteristics
of Liturgia, Koinonia, Diakonia and
Martyria.
Liturgia
- Worship, As Orthodox Christians,
we believe that God reveals His Truth
through Holy Tradition and Holy Scripture.
Liturgia (worship) is the sacramental
expression of Holy Tradition and Holy
Scripture and it is a very important
element of GOYA ministry. A major
goal of GOYA is to involve GOYAns
in an active sacramental life.
Koinonia
- Fellowship, "For where
there are two or more gathered in
my name, I am there also." (Matthew
18:20) Koinonia (fellowship) is the
way Orthodox Christians integrate
their faith with daily life. It is
sacred when Orthodox Christians gather.
This time spend together is more than
just a meeting. It is a special gathering.
The relationship of the Holy Trinity
is the perfect model of koinonia;
the Father, Son and Holy Spirity share
perfect communion and exist in perfect
love as a community. By gathering
together in fellowship, and by showing
love for one another, GOYA emulates
the relationship of the Holy Trinity,
and futher develops each member's
Orthodox Christian lifestyle.
Diakonia
- Service, Diakonia is Orthodox
Christian Service. Christ came not
to be served, but to serve. GOYAns
are urged to do the same. Therefore,
we can honor and glori\fy God by loving
and serving mankind in the name of
God. GOYAns should use their God-given
charismata (gifts) to serve. GOYAns
serve God by serving the Church. For
Orthodox Christians, service to GOd
and community is a way of life; a
way of living one's faith. As Jesus
Christ our Lord said, "by your
works they will know you." (Matthew
5:16) For this reason, Orthodox Christian
service is an integral part of the
Orthodox Christian's life.
Martyria
- Witness, Man is both a
spiritual and a physical being. The
spiritual reality is not always expressed
in the material world. In order to
be true to the Orthodox Christian
Faith, GOYAns should strive to exemplify
Faith. Martyria is living and witnessing
Orthodox Christianity to others.
What
We Do
GOYA meetings are held on Tuesday
evening at Saint Spyridon Cathedral
from 6:30-8:00 pm. Each month there
is a balance of business meetings
and fellowship events for the youth
to participate in. GOYA is involved
with the following:
- We encourage
all GOYA members to attend regular
church services and to get involved
with our Sunday School, Choir or
Altar Boys
- Attend our Cathedral's
over-night retreats and to explore
the possibilities of attending retreats
or vigils hosted by other churches
within our Diocese
- Many of our GOYAns
are actie in the Boston Diocese
Winter and Summer Camp programs
and we encourage other GOYA members
to join
- Church Basketball
league
- Annual field
trips to events in Worcester and
throughout the Diocese
- Volunteer at
Holy Trinity Nursing Home in Worcester
- Take part in
cleaning and preparing our Cathedral
for Good Friday services
- Fundraising
- Community service
projects for the Orthodox Food Pantry,
the Mustart Seed and Jeremiah's
Inn
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