Youth & Family Programs
The youth and family programs at St. Mary’s Orthodox Cathedral are designed to nurture faith, fellowship, and service while helping young people grow closer to Jesus Christ as active members of the Cathedral, committed to following our Savior throughout their lives.
Our community strives to instill in every young person that the liturgical services of St. Mary’s provide a foundation that extends to the fellowship and service experiences they have as part of our parish. As Orthodox Christians, our primary role in life is to glorify God in all we do.
The weekly Church School education program provides a formal setting for learning about God, the saints, the teachings of the Orthodox faith, and how to live as Orthodox Christians. This is complemented by the Cathedral’s youth and family programs, providing young people with opportunities to interact with others of the same age, enjoying fellowship, retreats, service projects, camp, Vacation Bible School (VBS), and more.
In this way, each child of St. Mary’s Cathedral, regardless of age, is provided with experiences that can have life-long benefits, meaningful encounters, and ultimately lead to their contributing something meaningful for the building up of Christ's holy church here in the Twin Cities.
Through worship, education, fellowship, service, and relationships across generations, the children in your family will be nurtured to grow in their love for God and neighbor. Our programs are shaped by three guiding commitments:
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Rooted in Faith
We help young people learn, experience, and embrace the Orthodox Christian faith as a foundation for their lives.
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Connected in Community
We provide meaningful opportunities for youth to build lasting relationships with peers, teachers, advisors, and our clergy, so they have a strong connection to the parish for worshiping God, being part of a family-oriented parish, and serving our neighbors throughout the Minneapolis region.
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Growing in Christ
We encourage each young person to grow as a disciple and steward of God, coming to know the Holy Trinity, and identifying ways for them to use their skills and talents to build up the church and to be a friend and Christian presence in the lives of others
Important Contacts
Archpriest Benjamin Tucci,
Assistant Priest / Youth Director
Phone: 612-599-1125
Email: frbenjamin@stmarysoca.org
Anna Memorich
Sophia Miller
Sarah Varian,
Youth Program Coordinators
Sophia Miller
Stasi Micich,
Saints Youth Group Advisors
St. Mary’s Church School
Church Office: 612-781-7667
Email: churchschool@stmarysoca.org
Julie Miller,
Church School Co-director (PK-5)
Sophia Miller,
Church School Co-director (6-12)
Resources & Forms
St. Mary’s Volunteer Application Process
OCA - Department of Youth, Young Adult, and Campus Ministries
Orthodox Campus Fellowship (OCF)
Orthodox Youth and Young Adult Ministries (OYM)
2026-2027 St. Mary’s Parent Permission Slip
Our programs are designed to provide opportunities where children of all ages can feel comfortable, experiencing the love of God in a safe and nurturing setting. We pray for the children of our community, and hope the roots formed during childhood and adolescence at St. Mary’s will continue to nourish a lifelong connection to Christ, His Orthodox Church, and the St. Mary’s parish community if they decide to remain in Minneapolis as an adult.
Ways to Get Involved
Youth can take an active role in worship and parish life by participating in the Liturgy as altar servers, assisting with distributing the post-Communion bread and wine, singing and reading in divine services. All youth, ages 3-18 are encouraged to participate in the church school program at St. Mary's Cathedral.
Fellowship activities and youth gatherings provide opportunities for nurturing the beginning of life-long friendships, fun, and spiritual growth in safe and open settings. High school students also have the opportunity to attend retreats, conferences, and summer camps that connect them with other Orthodox youth in the Twin Cities and beyond. Youth from St. Mary’s routinely participate in the triannual All-American Council hosted by The Orthodox Church in America which brings thousands of adults and young people together as the Church.
Through the experiences of worship, education, service, and community, young people and their families are supported at St. Mary’s as they deepen their relationship with Christ and with one another.
Growing in Christ.
Connected in community.
Rooted in faith.
Youth & Young Adults Programs
Campus Ministry (OCF)
St. Mary’s Cathedral is an active supporter of both the local and national Orthodox Campus Fellowship (OCF) program to engage with college students ages 18-25.
Locally, there are two OCF on-campus chapters in the Twin Cities. One at the University of Minnesota, and another at the University of St. Thomas.
The chapters meet to discuss the Orthodox faith, worship together, participate in volunteer projects, meet with local clergy advisors, and have fellowship with other Orthodox students and those young adults seeking to understand more about Orthodox Christianity.
Nationally, OCF chapters exist on many major college campuses across the United States, supported and connected to local Orthodox communities.
For more information about OCF, or to find a chapter near your college or university, visit ocf.net.
Church School
At St. Mary’s Orthodox Cathedral, education programs for grades PK–12 are designed to nurture faith, understanding, and their relationship with Jesus Christ.
The Cathedral’s Church School provides weekly classes on Sundays from September through mid-May that teach our youth about the Orthodox Faith. Church School begins with the Divine Liturgy at 9 a.m. and continue with a 45-minute classroom session beginning at 11 a.m., and extends to an active Orthodox faith life within the home.
All children of St. Mary’s, aged 3 (by September 1) through 12th grade, are encouraged to participate in the Church School classes. Registration begins in late August and is open throughout the year.
For more information about St. Mary’s Church School and Educational programs.
Email: churchschool@stmarysoca.org
Julie Miller,
Church School Co-director (PK-5)
Sophia Miller,
Church School Co-director (6-12)
CrossRoad Youth Impact Group
Teens and young adults (ages 21-35) at St. Mary’s have the opportunity to participate in the national CrossRoad Institute program designed to prepare high school and college students to be active Orthodox Christians in the life of their local parish community.
Over a dozen members of St. Mary’s have participated in CrossRoad summer retreats, training sessions, and are now involved in various aspects of parish life as leaders and participants, contributing to the building up of the Orthodox faith in our community.
CrossRoad is a ten-day academic summer institute that prepares high school juniors and seniors to make big life decisions and invites them to connect with the Orthodox Christian theological and spiritual tradition in a deep and meaningful way. CrossRoad Summer Program also offers a space for young people to form authentic and lifelong friendships, ask hard questions, and explore their calling as an Orthodox Christian in the 21st century.
Contact: Sophia Miller
Sheep & Shepherds
Sheep & Shepherds is a cross-generational ministry initiative providing our elementary aged youth (Sheep) with time spent interacting with our seniors aged 65+ (Shepherds).
The program is offered on Sundays during Church School on a quarterly basis. Seniors and students in grades 3-5 participate in dynamic lessons and games focused on growing in faith and fellowship together.
Contact: Julie Moricz
Saints (Ages 11-18)
Teens and pre-teens at St. Mary’s are invited to participate in Saints, our most popular and longest running youth group program at St Mary’s.
Members of the Saints meet the first Sunday of each month after Liturgy and participate in a variety of activities, events, retreats, and service projects throughout the year. In each of these, members grow as Orthodox Christians and in friendship with one another.
Saints is a student led group under the care and support of adult advisors. Participants meet, plan, and participate in the events and experiences they have each year. One of these events is the Friday Night Lenten Dinners, prepared and served by the Saints after the Presanctified Liturgies during Great Lent.
Contact: Sophia Miller and Stasi Micich
St. Mary’s Camps
St. Mary’s camp programs includes three different options each year:
Summer Camp - Annually, during the first week of July for students entering grades 3-12. Co-sponsored and co-organized in partnership with St. Mary’s Greek Orthodox Church and other local Orthodox parishes.
Web: stmaryscamp.com
Family Camp - Annually, during the second weekend of October for families and children. Organized and hosted in partnership with St. Mary’s Greek Orthodox Church and other local
Web: stmaryscamp.com/family-camp/
Winter Camp - Annually, during the Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend in January. The camp is for teens at a local camp with indoor facilities.
Contact: Archpriest Benjamin Tucci
Vacation Bible School
St. Mary’s church school program offers an annual weeklong half-day Vacation Bible School program during the summer. The program is organized and hosted by teachers and student volunteers, engaging students entering grades K-4.
The VBS program introduces children to the teachings and beliefs of the Orthodox faith in a meaningful and memorable way with activities, skits, liturgical music, and participation in the divine liturgy. Snacks are included.
Contact: Archpriest Benjamin Tucci
Youth Choir
The Cathedral’s Youth Choir is a vibrant musical ministry for children and teenagers nurturing both their growth in the Orthodox faith and musical skills, while also providing them an opportunity to be active members of the liturgical life of the parish now and in the future.
Under the guidance of the Cathedral’s music director and with the support of the senior choir, young singers participate in all aspects of the liturgical service, learning the various chants, tones, and order of services.
Children of all ages are invited and encouraged to join the choir, as our liturgical services rely on active participation by the faithful.
Contact: Benjamin Sawchak, director
Youth & Young Adults Programs
St. Mary’s Legacy of Youth Ministry
Youth ministry has been a vital part of the life of St. Mary’s Cathedral since its earliest years. As a dynamic and mission-minded community, St. Mary’s Cathedral was one of the first to have a parish school and youth societies, thanks in part to Minneapolis having the first Missionary School in the Lower-48 and also the first Orthodox Seminary in North America. Seminary faculty and their families played an important role in having a vibrant education and youth ministry program for members.
Since then, young people at St. Mary’s have had opportunities to enjoy summer camp, vacation church school, junior choir, service projects, time spent in fellowship, and always moments of worshipping God together as Orthodox Christians. The heart of St. Mary’s youth program is the rich liturgical traditions of our community - we are Orthodox Christians first. Generations of parishioners have participated in the youth programs offered at St. Mary’s, nurturing their relationship with God and one another, building life-long memories and friendships.
