Our Youth Ministries are directed by the Youth Director who develops and implements programs and activities that balance fellowship, worship, service, and witness for the following parish youth groups. Contact: caroline@stnektarios.org

Click Here for the Weekly Youth News — Week of October 5, 2026

Rolling Youth Catechism Registration

HOPE, JOY and GOYA are the three age formative youth groupings for ministry programs. 

• HOPE (Holy Orthodox Primary Education) serves children in grades Pre-K–2 

• JOY (Junior Orthodox Youth) serves grades 3–5 

• GOYA (Greek Orthodox Youth America) serves grades 6–12, and has a subbracket between ‘junior’ (6-9) and ‘senior’ (10-12) GOYA groups

Together, these ministries foster a Christ-centered community where young people build lasting friendships, strengthen their Orthodox identity, and grow in faith as members of the Body of Christ. 

Youth Catechism  

Provides students in grades Pre-K–12 with opportunities for faith formation and spiritual development in the Orthodox Christian faith. Through age-appropriate instruction in Scripture, Church teachings, traditions, worship, and the lives of the saints, children and youth deepen their understanding of Christ and His Church. This ministry nurtures a lifelong love of learning, strengthens faith, and forms disciples who know, love and live the Orthodox Christian faith in today’s world. 

Acolytes  

Nearly every divine service requires assistance from men or boys who have been called to serve alongside our priests. Aside from the practical help they provide, they also become part of the icon of heavenly worship when the Church gathers for prayer. Men, and boys 10+, may inquire with our clergy about serving in this blessed capacity, which requires faithful character and seriousness of conduct. 

St. Phoebe 

This ministry nurtures and trains girls in grades 4–12 to become future servant-leaders of the Church. Through deep and meaningful engagement in the liturgical life of the parish, girls grow in faith, build lasting friendships, and develop a strong sense of sisterhood and belonging within the church family. 

Greek Language 

In keeping with our ecclesiastical heritage, the parish offers classes for youth and adults in Modern Greek, which helps to instill our love for Greek Orthodox faith and heritage. Our goal is to instill in our students a love for our Greek Orthodox faith and heritage, as well as an appreciation of Greek culture through an interactive Greek language-based curriculum. 

St. Panteleimon Homeschool Academy  

The Academy offers local home schooling families an opportunity to gather as a co-op once a week within the academic year to build friendships, experience a classroom setting, and grow through shared learning in an Orthodox Christian environment at St. Nektarios.

St. Olga Ministry 

The St. Olga ministry supports pregnant and postpartum mothers, and all caregivers of young children, by meeting practical needs and offering encouragement, fellowship, and care for the whole family. It also seeks to support families who have experienced miscarriage, neonatal or infant loss, or related forms of grief. The ministry also facilitates monthly meet-ups for mothers with children aged 5 and under.   

Scouts 
St. Nektarios is a chapter organization for Pack and Troop 490. Cub Scouts (Grades 1-5), and Boy Scouts (Grades 6-12) are all active within the parish. Weekly Scout meetings, for both the Pack and the Troop, are held on Sunday afternoons during the school year. Parent volunteers are needed to serve as leaders and to provide event support. All volunteers complete BSA and Archdiocese Youth Safety Training.