LADIES PHILOPTOCHOS SOCIETY 7 West 55th Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10019 • Tel.: (212) 977-7770 • Fax: (212) 977-7784 Web: www.philoptochos.org • Email: philosny@aol.com
His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America, Chairman Aphrodite Skeadas, National President Helen Lavorata, Director Paulette Geanacopoulos, Social Worker Kay Brakatselos, Administrative Assistant Stella Xikis, Bookkeeper
The Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society, Inc. is the philanthropic arm of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America that has offered eighty years of philanthropy through a multitude of programs that make a difference in the lives of people here and throughout the world. The Society was established in November 1931by the late Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras I, who was then serving as Archbishop of North and South America. As Philoptochos celebrates its milestone 80th Anniversary the organization is engaged in a major campaign to “Open the Doors” and secure a permanent home, the Philoptochos Center of Philanthropy, to increase outreach to the underprivileged and to house Social Services and Operations. His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios calls Philoptochos, “an army of nobility and the jewel of our Church. Philoptochos must continue to do what God does by loving people.” Philoptochos is comprised of the National Board, Metropolis Boards and 485 Chapters in parishes of the Archdiocese. The Philoptochos mission is:
·To help the poor, the destitute, the hungry, the aged, the
sick, the unemployed, the orphaned, the imprisoned, the widowed, the handicapped, the victims of disasters, to undertake the burial of impoverished persons and to offer assistance to anyone who may need the help of the Church through fund raising efforts; and To promote charitable, benevolent and philanthropic purposes of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, through instructional programs, presentations, lectures, seminars and other educational resources; and To preserve and perpetuate Orthodox Christian concepts and the Orthodox Christian Family, and through them, to promote the Greek Orthodox Faith and traditions, in accordance with its doctrines, canons, discipline, divine worship, usages and customs; and To promote participation in the activities of the Greek Orthodox community, with the cooperation of the Parish Priest and the Parish Council. The charitable work of the Society is performed with discretion, courtesy and kindness.
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NATIONAL PHILOPTOCHOS SOCIETY PROGRAMS AND MINISTRY COMMITMENTS Academy of Saint Basil In March 1944, Archbishop Athenagoras requested that Philoptochos purchase the beautiful 250-acre estate of Jacob Ruppert in Garrison, NY, which is located on the shores of the Hudson River, directly opposite the U.S. Military Academy of
West Point. With the purchase of this estate, the Philoptochos had the enormous task of completely renovating the property, which included several buildings, the main administration building, the Director’s residence, classrooms and dormitories, a reception hall and building a Chapel. Philoptochos remains a key financial supporter of the Academy through three programs: Vasilopita This event is held in January across the United States by every Chapter in every parish and is a major source of funding for the Academy operating expenses. Sisterhood Provides for the ongoing needs of the children of the Academy, such as clothing, furniture, equipment and essentials for the dormitories, kitchen, etc., as well as funding for the Graduation celebrations and special awards for graduating students. Zoe Cavalaris Education Fund Provides financial assistance to the graduates of the Academy to attend schools of higher education, as well as providing for tutors for the younger children in grade school and high school. Hellenic College Holy Cross School of Theology The Holy Cross School of Theology was established by Archbishop Athenagoras in June 1937, in Pomfret, CT. The Archbishop directed a special appeal to the Philoptochos to “devote” themselves to the School, “where your sons will be educated as priests and teachers.” Over seventy-five years later, Philoptochos continues its strong commitment and financial support to Holy Cross through two programs: Scholarships For more than 20 years, scholarships have been awarded to worthy and dedicated students at both Holy Cross and Hellenic College to assist them with their tuition expenses. Lenten Event Philoptochos celebrates on the Third Sunday of Lent, observing the Veneration of the Holy Cross. The Chapters arrange a Lenten Event following the Divine Liturgy with proceeds used for the operational expenses of the School. Saint Photios Shrine In 1965, the Archdiocese purchased the Avero house in historic Saint Augustine, Florida to commemorate the arrival of the first Greek settlers in the New World in 1768. The Philoptochos continues its commitment to provide financial assistance towards the preservation of this National Shrine. 141