Youth and Education Programs and Activities
We have approximately 50 children enrolled in the youth programs at
Annunciation. This includes Sunday School, Youth Groups and Greek
School. We are truly blessed to have such a thriving Church community of
youth. Our children are our gifts from God -- they are our inspiration
and most importantly our future. Therefore, through Church attendance,
religious and ethnic education, stewardship and youth activities, our
children will embrace the meaning of "The Father, Son and Holy Spirit".
Our Youth Advisory Board acts as a communication forum where we bring
all youth groups together including Hope/Joy, GOYA, Sunday
School, Greek School and dance group advisors. The board works together
to develop and monitor all youth
activities. Anyone is welcome to
join and help. This can be a fun way to get involved with the Church and
its youth activities.
Youth Organizations
| Youth Ministries |
| JOY |
for children Grades 1 to 5 |
| GOYA |
for youth grades 6 to 12 |
| YAL |
for graduates, college students, young adults |
| Youth Organizations |
| HARA |
Dance group for children grades 2 to 5 |
| GLENZETHDES |
Dance group for youth grades 6 to 12 |
GOYA
The Greek Orthodox Youth of America, or GOYA, is the ministry to
teenagers of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Since GOYA is
a church ministry, the orientation and implementation of the program
reflects the Orthodox Christian Faith, Tradition and Life.
Outside of meetings we have outings, retreats, camps, and basketball!
Junior Orthodox Youth (JOY)
JOY (Junior Orthodox Youth) is for children in 1st through 6th grade. It
provides an opportunity for the youth to come together for worship, religious
education, and fellowship. JOY meets once a month at the church.
Youth Activities
Holy Friday Retreat
Youth Community Service - Throughout the year our youth
is taught to reach out and help others. Some of the charitable organizations
include Appetite for Life, Manna Food Bank.
Myrrh Bearers - Holy Week
On Great and Holy Friday, we remember the Myrrh bearing women by
inviting the young ladies of our community to stand vigil at the Epitaphion and
to be a part of the funeral procession of Jesus Christ. All girls in grades 3 to
6 are invited to participate in this very special part of the Holy Friday
evening service on April 6. All young ladies will need to wear a white dress,
white tights and white shoes. They will be given a basket of rose petals to
carry. All interested girls should contact LeTay.
Cross Dive at Epiphany
Each year in early January, the Greek Orthodox churches representing the
Western Conference gather in Ft. Walton to celebrate a Divine Liturgy together
followed by a youth Cross Dive as part of the Epiphany celebrations. This event
is usually hosted by the community of Saints Markella & Demetrios in Mary
Esther. This year the Divine Liturgy was held in the new church. Rev. Father
Anthony Stratis of the Holy Trinity Cathedral in New Orleans as Vicar of the
Western Conference of the Atlanta Metropolis presided over the ceremony, along
with the Rev. Father Michael Vastakis, and Rev. Father Panayiotis Papanikolau of
Pensacola.
The traditional Cross Dive begins with a member of the
military tossing a wreath into the waters and a prayer
for active-duty military serving in harm's way and all
over the world. The biblical account of Christ's baptism
is read, the waters blessed and young girls dressed in
white release three white doves. The dove symbolizes the
presence of the Holy Spirit; the number three
representing the Holy Trinity. Concluding the ceremony
is the tossing of a white wooden cross into the water
where youth from the area's Greek Orthodox Churches
brave the cold waters to retrieve it. This year there
were twelve youth representing Ft. Walton, Pensacola,
Panama City and New Orleans parishes. Four teens from
the Pensacola parish participated in the dive - Sandy
Spraggins, Ange Kantrales, George Weisnicht and Deomi
Polyzos. Congratulations to all of these young people!
See Pictures from 2009 Dive
See pictures.
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