Metropolis of New Jersey Delaware Valley Youth Commission

Annual GOYA Sights and Sounds Festival

On Saturday, March 18, 2023 the Metropolis of New Jersey Delaware Valley Youth Commission, with the blessings of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, hosted its Annual GOYA Sights and Sounds Festival at St. Thomas Greek Orthodox Church in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. This Festival brings together over 300 GOYAns from across the Metropolis and showcases the many talents of the youth in categories including painting, sculpture making, monologues, Greek and English theatrical performances, religious choral singing, and Greek folk dancing. The GOYAns were blessed with the presence and participation of His Grace Bishop Apostolos of Medeia who spent the day with the youth. In his address to the participants, His Grace conveyed the paternal love and blessings of the Archbishop, and expressed his appreciation to the chair of the event, the regional Youth Commissioner, Fr. Peter Thornberg, the organizing committee, youth advisors and parents for their hard work for this wonderful event. In addition he congratulated all of the GOYAns for their many achievements and beautiful performances and encouraged them to continue pursuing their artistic dreams and to continually grow in our Orthodox faith, especially during this Lenten season.