Welcome to the Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Spirit Website
The Holy Spirit parish was established in 1995 when approximately 50 families desiring to foster pastoral care and an intimate spiritual experience were granted permission to operate as a mission and subsequently as an official parish of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, Metropolis of Detroit.
In 1998, we entered our present location, the former South Avenue Baptist Church. Construction of an iconostasis and the placement of icons in the altar area have transformed this sanctuary into our home of Orthodox prayer and worship.
Our parish, comprised of 170 families from diverse backgrounds, is a vibrant community with many opportunities for religious education, active youth and young adult programs, warm fellowship, and a wonderful spirit of volunteerism. We are a family-centered community helping each other to live our Orthodox Faith to the fullest.
"Our mission is to promote the spiritual well-being of those committed to the Greek Orthodox Faith and Traditions, and to reach out to all Orthodox Christians, converts, partners in inter-faith marriages and the un-churched Orthodox in the greater Rochester, New York area. The abiding purpose of the parish is to provide for full participation in the liturgical and sacramental life of the church through worship, service, witnessing, and community fellowship."
Holy Spirit GOC Mission Statement
Support Our Ministries
Click here to make a contribution to support Holy SpiritIn order to assure that the church receives the full value of your donation, please consider increasing your donation to cover the 4% fee charged by PayPal for their service.
2024 Stewardship Form
Please print and forward a completed copy to the church office.
Holy Spirit Church Events
Preorder Spring 2024 Food/Bake Sale
Orders are DUE March 18, 2024.
Pickup is on:
March 29, 30, and 31 from 11:30 am - 1:00 pm in time for Easter!
All food will also be available for purchase while supplies last.
Two dates to call in with your credit card:
Sunday, March 3 from 12 pm - 2 pm
Monday, March 18 from 11 am - 1 pm
Otherwise, mail in your Preorder form with a check made out to "Holy Spirit Greek Orthodox Church" or drop off in-person for cash orders.
Click Here for Preorder FormShow your Love for Philoptochos
Philoptochos Bakeless Bake Sale
Help us replenish our funds!
Sunday, February 11
Make checks out to "Holy Spirit Philoptochos" with "Bake Sale" in the memo line and either place in the narthex tray on Sunday or mail in to the church with "Attn: Philoptochos" on the envelope.
Everyone is welcome to join us on Sunday, Feb. 11 after church for a
Presentation by Julie Chapus
on Miss Julie's School of Beauty and help for local area women who are sex-trafficked.
Saturday of Souls: March 9, 16, 23
Donated Koliva will be provided: Donations of $30 appreciated. Payable to "Holy Spirit Greek Orthodox Church" Submit names of departed to church office or Fr. James.
Holy Spirit Philoptochos Book Club (HSPBC)
Open to All Parishioners
Book: “Our Thoughts Determine Our Lives: The Life and Teachings of Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica"
Wednesdays, 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
March 13, 2024
Monday, April 8, 2024
May 15, 2024
Currently offered in-person at church and via Zoom. Contact Anna Pink for the zoom link.
Download FlyerChurch School
on Sundays after Communion
Please register your child(ren) by completing a registration form. Late registrations will be accepted. Return completed forms to the church office.
Download Registration FormFood Pantry Collection
Our parish collects food and other necessities for those in need in Rochester. We are currently donating to the Monroe Library branch, who have a food pantry to distribute to those in need. A table with bins for collecting items is along the fellowship hall wall. To donate financially, write a check out to “Holy Spirit Greek Orthodox Church” with “Food Pantry Donation” in the memo line.
Philoptochos Refugee Project
We are continuing with Household Goods Collection for Saint’s Place to help refugees (from Ukraine, African, and South American countries in turmoil) resettle here in Rochester. Most come with nothing or very little as they have run for their lives.
See flyer for list of what Saint's Place needs and what they are not taking.
View Our Updated ListBlessing Bags
Philoptochos is collecting items to assemble blessing bags, which are great to keep on hand in your car so you can have the bag to hand to someone in need. Donate a little or a lot – we have a suggested list of blessing bag items.
View Blessing Bag ListPhiloptochos
General Meeting Dates 2023 - 2024
General Meetings take place in the Philoptochos Room during coffee hour after the Sunday Divine Liturgy.
September 17, 2023
October 15, 2023
November 5, 2023
January 14, 2024
February 18, 2024
March 10, 2024
April 14, 2024
May 19, 2024
Metropolis Webinar Series
View Webinars on The Passions and other topics online at: https://discoverorthodoxy.org/webinarseries
You can also visit us on our Social Media sites:
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HolySpiritGreekOrthodoxChurch
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9BghWQGfJrGbtbH3JBg2NA
Services at Holy Spirit
Sundays: Orthros: 9:00 AM | Divine Liturgy: 10:00 AM
We can view live services on Facebook or see the recordings for later viewing.
AGES Initiatives
AGES Initiatives is an online resource that provides a calendar of church services. It has the entire service including special hymns of the day, the epistle, and the gospel. This comes in handy if you prefer to follow the service with something written in front of you.
Click here to visit AGES Initiatives
Other sites to see:
National Directory of Orthodox Mental Health Providers:
https://www.assemblyofbishops.org/directories/mental-health/
https://www.goarch.org/live-
Check our Calendar for other events...
For information on our services please contact the Church office at (585) 244-1976 between 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Thank you...