The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, in collaboration with parishes from three regions across the west coast, offered three regional GOYA retreats this spring season engaging over 100 middle school and high schoolers in faith-filled gatherings.
The Bay Area GOYA Lenten Retreat
The Bay Area GOYA Lenten Retreat was held March 27 – 29, 2026, and was led by Rev. Father Manoli Aspiotis, Assistant Priest from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church in Belmont, CA. This retreat took place at the Marin Headlands, just across the Golden Gate Bridge. Middle schoolers and high schoolers from all over the Bay Area attended a beautiful weekend with the center of the retreat focusing on the verse, “Yet even now, return to me with all your heart” Joel 2:12. GOYAns enjoyed services, discussions and plenty of hiking with great views of the San Francisco Bay Area.
The Central Valley GOYA Lenten Retreat
“Acquire the spirit of peace…” , words from Saint Seraphim of Sarov, was the center of the First Central Valley GOYA Lenten Retreat over the weekend of March 20 – 22, 2026. Led by Anna Teodosiadis – Metropolis Parish Youth Ministry Advisor, along with Rev. Father Lukas Breen (Assistant Priest – Saint Anna Greek Orthodox Church, Roseville, CA), Rev. Father Gabriel Cupsa (Assistant Priest, Saint Basil Greek Orthodox Church, Stockton, CA) and Connor Kruse (Pastoral Assistant – Saint George Greek Orthodox Church, Fresno, CA), middle schoolers and high schoolers from Sacramento, Modesto, Stockton, Fresno, Elk Grove and Roseville attended a retreat at Saint Sava Retreat Center in Jackson, CA. Centered around prayer and acquiring the spirit of peace, GOYAns gathered to have what one parent shared her daughters experience as, “the most peaceful weekend she’s ever had!”. A highlight of this retreat was that GOYAns got to take a pilgrimage to venerate St. Sebastian of Jackson whose relics reside at Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Church.
The Pacific Northwest High School Retreat
The Post-Pascha Pacific Northwest High School retreat was hosted at All Saints Camp on Raft Island, WA, from April 24 – 26, 2026. The Pacific Northwest Youth Council, comprised of high schoolers from parishes in Washington and Oregon, led the retreat with great organization, fun activities, and thoughtful details. Rev. Father Seraphim Majmudar (Proistamenos – Saint Lawrence Orthodox Church, Felton, CA), the retreat speaker discussing the theme “One Thing Needful” was relatable for both high schoolers and young adult counselors. He spoke on how to determine what is important to us, if what is important to us is centered in Christ, or if they are distractions. He gave practical tools on how to determine a distraction or passion. The weekend was filled with post-Resurrection joy, beautiful weather and time to connect with one another. Special thanks to Rev. Father Paul Paris (Proistamenos – Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Portland, OR) and Rev. Father Spyridon Rice (Assistant Priest – Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, Seattle, WA) for their guidance and presence during the retreat.
Plans to continue to expanding these retreats will be forthcoming. To learn more please visit the Metropolis Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries.