Youth Programs
HOPE
Ages 3-6
Aims and Purposes
The Greek Orthodox Community of Windsor invites all families with children ages 3-6 to participate in HOPE. Children will participate in activities and events that encourage them to have fun while developing a strong connection with their Greek Orthodox Christian faith. We hope to begin developing a foundation of our faith early on, so as children progress into JOY, GOYA and YAL they have an active relationship with our Greek Orthodox church and community. HOPE also creates a space that builds lifelong friendships that provide children with support in years to come.
For more information contact youth@gocw.ca.
Meetings occur on the last Friday of every month at 6:00pm
New members welcomed
JOY
Ages 7-12
Aims and Purposes
The Greek Orthodox Community of Windsor invites all families with children ages 7-12 to participate in JOY. Through various activities, events and discussions, we hope to provide children with a solid foundation of our faith which will help them overcome obstacles they will encounter throughout their lives. With the strength, courage and love developed from an active relationship with the Greek Orthodox Church, children will develop the values that will enable them to make the right choices throughout their lives. JOY also provides a space to build lifelong friendships that will provide children with support in years to come.
For more information contact youth@gocw.ca.
Meetings occur on the 3rd Friday of every month at 6:00pm
New members always welcome
GOYA
Ages 13-18
Aims and Purposes
GOYA Strives to actively engage in meaningful discussions surrounding religion, Greek Culture and heritage with members while engaging in fun social activities that promote a united Greek youth.
GOYA organizes two annual events:
- Christmas Kalanta (carolling)
- Psalm Sunday Fish Luncheon.
Additionally, they plan philanthropic activities including food, clothing and toy drives for local charities and non-profit organizations in an effort to give back to Windsor youth.
GOYA members attend social outings including dinners, movie and game nights, escape rooms, bowling, go-carting, mini-golf and arcade nights.
For more information contact youth@gocw.ca.
Meetings occur on the 2nd Friday of every month at 6:00pm
New members welcome!
Andreas Pardalis
President
Eleni Margaritis
Vice President
Nina Stajic
Secretary
Anna MacMillan
Treasurer
Darko Veselinovic
Advisor
YAL
Ages 19-30
Aims and Purposes
GOCW invites all young adults ages 19 to 35 to participate in YAL. The purpose of YAL is to cultivate and educate our young adults, leading them to the fullness of the Faith and likeness of God. Its focus is on the four characteristics of Christian life: Liturgia (our relationship with God through worship and Sacramental life); Martyria (living and witnessing of Christianity to others within the faith, to those who may have left the faith, and to those outside the faith); Diakonia (living in the image of God by loving and serving mankind); Koinonia (the way in which an Orthodox Christian brings their faith into their daily and social life).
YAL meets at various times and locations throughout the year for monthly activities, fundraisers, and philanthropic events.
For more information contact youth@gocw.ca.
Meetings occur on the 1st Friday of every month at 6:00pm
New members welcomed
Greek Dance
Aims and Purposes
The Terpsichorean Dance Group is our community dance group. The goal of our dance group is to teach and preserve our Greek culture and heritage through dance, music and song both to members of our community as well as the community at large. Our goal is fulfilled by educating our members and audiences through our dance performances and through workshops. We feel it is important to keep the history and culture of our homeland alive and what better way than through dance.
The name of the group is derived from “Terpsichore”, the Greek Muse and goddess of dance and chorus. The dance group was established in the 1960’s by Mr. Emmanuel Vichos who directed the group for many years. Under the directorship of many wonderful directors and instructors through the years, the group has continued to perform together until the present time.
The group is currently under the directorship of Alexandra Spanos who is also the instructor of our Senior group. We currently have over 60 dancers ranging in age from 4 to 25 years of age and divided into 4 groups (Pitsirikia, Juniors, Intermediates and Seniors). We currently have 3 additional instructors, Lucas Koukouvaos, Maria Koloneos and Elena Athanasopoulos who teach the Pitsirikia, Junior and Intermediate groups.
As we all know, the Greek culture is very rich in heritage, music, dance and costumes.
Dance has always played an important role in Greek life. Dance is an expression of feelings, struggles and everyday life. Throughout history Greeks danced to prepare for war, to celebrate victories, at religious festivals, ceremonies, weddings, etc. Every dance has a story. We enjoy telling each story and expressing our love for our beautiful culture, dance, music and costumes.
The dances that our groups perform are deep rooted in the traditions and customs of the various regions of Greece. Our groups perform dances from many regions of Greece — Thraki, Makedonia, Ipiros, Thessalia, Peloponessos, Crete, Ikaria, Kefalonia as well as dances from other Aegean Islands, Ionian islands and mainland Greece.
Anyone interested in joining our dance program can contact Alexandra Spanos at alexandraspanos@hotmail.com
“The dance, of all the arts, is the one that most influences the soul. Dancing is divine in its nature and is the gift of the gods”. Plato
