Acts of Love & Kindness
In 2013 shortly after converting to Orthodoxy, my Greek Nouna (a word I had never heard before) “asked” me come to a Philoptochos meeting, as she was the President at the time. I knew nothing about this organization, but soon found out that the Philoptochos chapter at Saint Spyridon is part of the
Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society, Inc. It is the philanthropic arm of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Our mission is to promote charitable, benevolent and philanthropic outreach; to preserve the sanctity of life and family; and to perpetuate and promote our Orthodox faith and traditions.
At the first meeting I attended, I knew two people, my sponsor and my sister. I had no idea that there was an agenda or what a motion was. I don’t think I said one word during the entire meeting. I never would have imagined that seven years later, I would step in as President of our Philoptochos chapter. I've now been President for nearly two years, and I sometimes wonder why I have been blessed with such a great opportunity. The women that have done this before me have done such an amazing job, that I still am not sure one of them shouldn’t be doing this. But each time I leave a meeting, after entering nervous and unsure of myself, I see how much good these women are all doing, and how the true calling to be a Christian is carried out through Philoptochos’ actions, and I am encouraged to continue my journey alongside them. I consistently witness the women's hearts for people and am humbled to be in fellowship with them at St. Spyridon.
Our Philoptochos has seven ministries, two of which were established during COVID. These ministries help to feed the hungry locally and internationally, take care of needs within our own Parish, pray for those in need, and care for individuals and their families who are nearing the end of their lives. We lead monthly service projects, support missionaries, raise funds for local charities and so much more.
I hope if you are unsure about what Philoptochos is or who we are, you will talk to one of our many members and see for yourself what joy helping others can bring. And take a look at these two videos, one from
National Philoptochos and the other showing photos our
chapter’s work.
We welcome you to be a part of our Acts of Love & Kindness in 2021! Click
here to see our philanthropic outreach in 2020 . Click
here to view our invitation. You can join online
here.
