It is important to note that these files are not the organizational records of the Greek Orthodox Youth of America (GOYA) but are the personal files maintained by Andrew Kopan that represent his service to the Greek Orthodox Youth Movement on all levels-local, district, and national. In the 1940’s Kopan was involved with local youth groups such as the Sionilli club, and the Orthodox Youth of Saint Constantine. These local groups expanded to citywide and district youth organizations that eventually evolved into GOYA, which was officially founded in 1951. After serving the organization in several different capacities Andrew Kopan was elected National Chairman of GOYA in 1958.

Concerned primarily with the destiny of the Greek Orthodox Church, GOYA stands for the preservation and perpetuation of Orthodoxy as a permanent way of life in America. Based on the percepts of the Orthodox Church, GOYA offered religious, social, cultural, educational, and athletic activities to its members. GOYA’s National Headquarters were also headquarters for the Greek Archdiocese of North and South America, which were located in New York. GOYA was governed by National Council that consisted of a National Chairman, National Vice Chairman, National Secretary, National Treasurer, the Councilmen or women, and an Archdiocese representative. The next tier of GOYA’s organizational structure was the Diocese and District level made up of Councilmen and Presidents. Each diocese’s number of districts depended on how many churches in their area were members of GOYA.

With the support of the Archbishop Michael, the spiritual leader of the Greek Archdiocese of North and South America from 1949-1958, GOYA reached national and international status. It achieved phenomenal success in organizing the young people of the church (defined as anyone between the ages of 18 – 35) into a unified whole. By 1958, it brought into existence 240 chapters amongst the 375 church communities that make up the Archdiocese of North and South America. However, GOYA’s organization suffered during the 1960’s. It proved inflexible and unable to cope with the changing times and concerns of young people. A newspaper clipping and a report from 1973 document the demise of GOYA due to apathy among church members. In the 1980’s and 1990’s GOYA members organized reunions and celebrated the anniversary of GOYA’s foundation.