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.
2023 Stewardship Form
Please print and forward a completed copy to the church office.
Holy Spirit Church Events
Cooking/Baking Class 2024
Koulourakia
Greek Butter Cookies
Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024
1:00 - 3:00 pm
Price: $25 per person.
Pre-Registration is required with payment. No walk-ins allowed
Call (585) 244-1976 by January 14, 2024.
Download flyer for more information:
Download Flyer
Holy Spirit Art Challenge
"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path."
Use this scripture quote from Psalm 119 (118) as inspiration to create works of art.
All Media Wanted!
All age groups and skill levels wanted!
The Holy Spirit Art Challenge display will take place January 28, 2024.
Nativity Fast Psalter Group
Would you like to do something beyond Christmas shopping?
Then join our GOCHS NATIVITY FAST PSALTER Group!
GOAL:To daily read the Psalter during the 40 days of the Nativity Fast as a group beginning November 15. By Christmas you will have read the entire Book of Psalms twice!
If you are interested, contact Anna Pink.
Angel Tree Project
for School # 12 Students (Pre-Kindergarten through Eighth Grade)
Pick up an angel or two off of the tree in the fellowship hall to shop for desired Christmas gifts. We are giving unwrapped Christmas Gifts for local families to give to their children for Christmas.
All items DUE Sunday, Dec. 10
Open Door Mission Collection
Philoptochos is collecting items that the Open Door Mission has recently requested due to being inundated with requests from new migrant families for clothing, especially for children. If you have gently used or new clothing (especially children’s) to donate, please drop off in the orange box in the fellowship hall.
Urgent need for these items:
- Gently used children’s clothing
- Men and women’s clothing
- New underwear – all types and sizes
- Kids socks – all sizes
You can also purchase items on Amazon to have delivered directly to Open Door Mission with their Wishlist at: https://a.co/bTs33Oh
Church 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 Form
"Our Byzantine Legacy"
Bible Study with Fr. James
11:00 am on Wednesdays
September 13 & 27, October 11 & 25,
November 8 & 22, and December 6
Join in person at church or via zoom!
(Contact the church office for the zoom link and/or meeting ID to join.)
Food 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.
Holy Spirit Philoptochos Book Club (HSPBC)
Open to All Parishioners
Book: “Time and Despondency” by Nicole Roccas
Wednesdays, 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
December 13, January 10, February 14, March 13
Currently offered in-person at church and via Zoom. Contact Anna Pink for the zoom link.
Download Flyer
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 List
Blessing 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 List
Philoptochos
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 11, 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.
View Live On Facebook
Youtube ChannelAGES 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...