PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS
Thank you to those who volunteered to prepare and to serve for the Peabody International Festival this past weekend. What a group effort!
A special thank you to the Men’s Club for their assistance with the transportation and the set-up making our festival a successful event.
To our community and family members, it was fabulous to see you all out and enjoying the beautiful weather while supporting our city and our church!
PHILOPTOCHOS MEETINGS:
Sunday 10/20/24 11:30 a.m. in the educational center
Sunday 11/17/24 11:30 a.m. in the educational center
St. Vasilios Philoptochos Athena is a group of 148 members, which is a small part of the large, National Philoptochos of 25,000 members. We make a difference in the lives of people in our community, in the United States, and around the world.
Learn more about us, join our group, and grow with us!
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
2024-2025
Executive Board
- Stacey Yavorski – President
- Paula MacDonald – 1st Vice President
- Chrissy Votto – 2nd Vice President
- Bonnie Antoniou – Corresponding Secretary
- Sandy Ruggeri – Recording Co-Secretary
- Bessie Silva – Recording Co-Secretary
- Tracey Franggos – Treasurer
- Elaine Zetes – Assistant Treasurer
- Evelyn Limberakis Rockas – Advisor
Board Members
- Theodora Christopher – Board Member
- Fran Diamantopoulos – Board Member
- Kathy Mpelkas – Board Member
- Debbie Pantazelos – Board Member
- Helen Papadopoulos – Board Member
- Heidi Pappas – Board Member
Mission Statement
The Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society, Inc. is the philanthropic arm of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America that has offered 89 years of philanthropy through a multitude of programs that make a difference in the lives of people in the United States and throughout the world. The Society was established in November 1931, by the late Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras I, who was then serving as Archbishop of North and South America.
Philoptochos fulfills its mission to “help the poor, the destitute, the hungry, the aged, the sick, the unemployed, the orphaned, the imprisoned, the widowed, those with disabilities and the victims of disasters through its National and Metropolis Boards and its 26,000 members and more than 400 active chapters, nationwide. Philoptochos responds immediately to needs and crises and its philanthropic outreach extends to each area of the country and throughout the world. In 2016, National Philoptochos distributed $2.06 million in philanthropic aid.
Since the late 1950’s, upon the recommendation of Archbishop Iakovos, Philoptochos has placed an increased emphasis on the implementation of important programs to benefit the Greek Orthodox community, including, but not limited to, institutions of the Church, the philanthropies of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and assistance to Greek and Greek Orthodox families. Involvement in social and moral issues encouraged the establishment of several committees to address topics such as child abuse prevention, domestic violence, homelessness, pornography, drug and alcohol abuse, and aging.
Since 1987, the National Philoptochos office has employed a professional Social Worker, engaged in assisting the Greek Orthodox community in the United States as well as Greek and Cypriot nationals. The Department of Social Services is a very important, vital element of our organization. The mission of the Department is to improve the quality of life of those in need, in a way that maintains the dignity and self-respect of the individuals. Through confidential and professional services, the office provides outreach, education, information, support, intervention, motivation, advocacy, financial assistance and referral to local and broader resources.
The Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society, Inc., is the duly accredited women’s philanthropic society of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. The mission of the Society shall be:
- 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 the charitable, benevolent, and philanthropic purposes of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, through instructional programs, presentations, lectures, seminars and other educational resources;
- 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;
- 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 shall be performed with discretion, courtesy and kindness.
Ministry Resources
ORTHODOX LIFE: MONTHLY BULLETIN
Archives of the St. Vasilios monthly bulletin Orthodox Life. Learn more »PARISH MINISTRIES BOOKLET
Information about various ministries at St. Vasilios Greek Orthodox Church Learn more »Orthodox Marketplace
The official online store of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Learn more »Send an Iconogram
Send a message to a loved one or a friend in celebration of a name day, feast day, or sacrament. Learn more »Upcoming Events
Upcoming Weekday Services Schedule
Sunday Worship Services (live streaming on 1st Sunday of the month only)
Orthros at 8:00 am
Divine Liturgy at 9:00 am
Memorial Service follows the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy
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