250 years of faith formation through Orthodox camping ministries
As the United States commemorates its 250th anniversary, Orthodox Christians have an opportunity to reflect not only on their history in this nation, but also on their responsibility to prepare future generations to carry the
National Oratorical Festival winner: ‘I’m here to spread God’s word, and that’s all that matters’
Faith as a young person in 2026 is complicated: America’s religious and secular attitudes seem to flourish in a paradoxical parallel, Orthodoxy continues to gain visibility as its online popularity grows, and culture continues to
Archons’ Sprouts Program announces Ecumenical Patriarch Poster Contest
On July 30, the Archon Ecumenical Patriarchate Global Initiative (The Sprouts Program) announced the inaugural Ecumenical Patriarch Poster Contest, inviting Orthodox students ages 5–18 to create original artwork celebrating His All‑Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew’s 35
New Jersey GOYAns support the homeless through Bridges program
Lianna Gourmos, 20 years old, grew up in the exceptional town of Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, where she was only around five minutes away from her Greek Orthodox church. The church has always been something
National YAL leaders equip parishes through joint Clergy-Laity session and updated ministry guidelines
CLEVELAND, Ohio–During a joint session of the 48th Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress and the 2026 National Young Adult League (YAL) Conference on July 2, National YAL leaders brought together clergy, lay leaders, and young adults for a collaborative
Camp Saint Paul completes five-week summer camp program
With the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros, the Archdiocese District Summer Camping Ministry, Camp Saint Paul 2026 joyfully completed five transformative weeks of Orthodox Christian fellowship, worship, and spiritual formation under this year’s theme,
Girl Delegates participate in U.N. event on football and mental health
NEW YORK, NEW YORK—On Friday, July 17, 2026, ahead of the final match of the World Cup, several Girl Delegates and Girl Delegate alumni of the GOA’s UN Girl Delegate Program participated in a day-long
Another successful National Young Adult League (YAL) Conference convenes in Cleveland
CLEVELAND, OHIO—With the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, the 2026 National Young Adult League (YAL) Conference was held July 1–5, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio, hosted by His Eminence Metropolitan Savas of Pittsburgh
Applications open for the Girl Delegates to the U.N. program
The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America’s Program for Girl Delegates to the United Nations is seeking passionate, motivated, and committed high school students ages 15 & up who are eager to engage in global diplomacy, advocate
2026 National YAL Conference continues with faith, fellowship, and celebration
Filled with prayer, learning, fellowship, and joyful celebration, the second full day of the 2026 National Young Adult League (YAL) Conference proved to be a truly memorable day in Cleveland, OH. The day’s schedule included
Young adults convene in Cleveland for the 2026 National YAL Conference
The first full day of the 2026 National Young Adult League (YAL) Conference began with an Opening Breakfast and Ceremony, featuring welcoming remarks from Conference Chairman, John Panos, and His Grace Bishop Nektarios of Diokleia,
Clergy-Laity Congress workshop equips parishes to build lasting young adult ministries
On July 2nd, Eva Konstantakos, National Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries (Y2AM); John Panos, Chair of the 2026 National Young Adult League Conference; and Lenie Tsakonas, National Chair of the Young Adult League
Clergy-Laity workshop highlights pathways for our youth to serve, belong, and lead
During the 2026 Clergy-Laity workshop which focused on integrating and expanding youth involvement—”From Pew to Purpose: Building Pathways for our Youth to Serve, Belong and Lead”—speakers led an interactive conversation between audience members and panelists.
Department of Religious Education releases new K-12 curriculum
At the 2026 Clergy-Laity Congress, the Department of Religious Education (DRE) presented two sessions showcasing tools and resources it provides, as well as a first look at the Archdiocese’s new K-12 religious education curriculum. At
The Archons’ Sprout Program is now available in Spanish
The Archon Sprout Program, which introduces Orthodox Christian children to the Ecumenical Patriarchate, is now officially bilingual, and much more is to come. The Sprouts Program Committee, which is chaired by Archons Nick Tranto and
National Oratorical Festival culminates in final competition
The National Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Oratorical Festival Finals were held June 13–14, 2026, at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Northridge, California, bringing together young students from across the country for a weekend
St. Barbara Church in Orange, CT awards $70,000 in scholarships
On June 7, 2026, Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church of Orange, Connecticut enthusiastically awarded $70,000 in scholarships to thirty-nine parishioners pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees. The awards were presented during the parish’s annual Scholarship Awards
San Francisco’s 2026 YAL Conference will leave young adults “ROOTED” in faith and fellowship
With the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco, the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco Young Adult League (YAL) is pleased to announce the 2026 YAL Conference, taking place over Labor Day
National YAL collects memories through History of YAL Yearbook project
The National YAL Conference Committee is excited to announce the creation of the History of YAL Yearbook for this year’s National YAL Conference which will take place July 1-5, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. This yearbook
A. Fantis students take educational pilgrimage to Greece
Students from the A. Fantis School of Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Brooklyn recently returned from a transformative educational journey through Greece, experiencing firsthand the living connection between Hellenism, Orthodox Christianity, history,
Orthodox figure skaters find faith on and off the ice
Though Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik grew up worlds apart in their respective hometowns of Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan and Kharkiv, Ukraine, the two were nevertheless raised in the same Eastern Orthodox Christian faith. Now
Greek American leader’s Projekt NYC empowers youth in nationally-recognized day of service
QUEENS, NY — Theodoros Psahos, a Greek American raised in Astoria, Queens, is proving that the values of community, service, and mentorship he grew up with in the Greek community are alive and well and
Angelo Bruno appointed Direct Archdiocesan District’s new Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries
With the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, Angelo Bruno has been appointed as the new Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries for the Direct Archdiocesan District (DAD). Angelo was born and
IOCC treats injuries, restores confidence in Gaza
“Yousef is smiling again,” his mother said. “That is something that I thought I’d never see.” Yousef (not his real name) has undergone more hardships than any 10-year-old child should endure. He and his family