Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it. Do not say to your neighbor, "Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it" -- when you have it with you.
Proverbs 3:28-29
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What is Philoptochos
…for I was hungry and you gave Me food; for I was thirsty and you gave Me drink;
I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me;
I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.
I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me;
I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.
…in as much as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.' Matthew 25: 35-36, 40
While the word “philoptochos” means “friends of the poor”, it does not begin to describe the many facets of the organization that chose this name. The Greek Orthodox women of Philoptochos are involved in all areas of philanthropy. Whether it be on a global scale, helping earthquake and tsunami victims or helping a struggling parishioner to pay a bill, Philoptochos seeks to serve those in need. Following the dictates of Christ, we seek to aid those who are in physical or emotional pain, work in homeless shelters, conduct food drives, raise funds for cancer, autism & other medical needs. We help our parishes in countless ways; we extend our hand to as many as we can. And as we do this work, we find not only the joy of giving and helping, but in creating fellowship and treasured friendships among our members.
The Mission of the Society
Philoptochos needs you. Your desire to serve and help others will find a place of welcome in this philanthropic organization.
The Mission of the Society
§ To aid 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.
National Philoptochos
Inspired by the teachings of Christ to love and care for all people, the Ladies Philoptochos Society joins close to 30,000 national members to help those in need. Duly accredited by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, Philoptochos (“friend of the poor”) actively participates in philanthropic outreach in the US and abroad. In the years 2003-2008, $8.5 million was donated on the National level. In 2009, National Board contributions totaled $1.4 million. Additionally, these National figures do not reflect the numerous ongoing donations and active support of metropolises and chapters who contribute locally to those in need.
The National Philoptochos Board coordinates nine Metropolis Boards (Direct Diocesan District, Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Detroit, New Jersey, Pittsburg, San Francisco) and over 500 parish chapters. To read more about the history of the Ladies Philoptochos Society go to: http://philoptochos.org/index/history
Visit the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society website: WWW.PHILOPTOCHOS.ORG
Philoptochos BY-LAWS
To download a complete copy of the National Philoptochos By-Laws CLICK HERE
Philoptochos GUIDELINES
To download a complete copy of the Guidelines of the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society, Inc (GOLPSI) CLICK HERE
The Metropolis of Atlanta Philoptochos
There are 68 chapters within the states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. The Metropolis Philoptochos Board is comprised of 22 women from most of the states served by the Metropolis of Atlanta. Members are either appointed by His Eminence Metropolitan Alexios or voted on at the Metropolis Clergy-Laity conferences.
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President: First Vice President: 2nd Vice President: Recording Secretary: Corresp. Secretary: Treasurer: Assistant Treasurer: Advisor: |
Laura Nixon Jeannie Demas Rose Marie Connell Kiki Rothman Betty Lantz Dee Nicolaou Marty Driscoll Evangeline Mekras Scurtis |
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| 2011-13 Board Members: Tina (Chum) Atkins, Helen Doulaveris, Prebytera Evi Kaplanis, Florence Lytle, Joan Marinos, Effie Moraitakis, Irene Politis, Koula Poulos, Margaret Sarafoglu, Joanna Snider, Irene Tracy, Katherine Ziegler, Cindy Xenick | |||
The Board formally meets twice each year, in the fall and spring, but is in frequent contact via e-mail or phone conferences. The Board discusses & votes on financial issues and the dispensation of Metropolis Philoptochos funds. Committee chairs handle issues of social services, Holy Cross seminarian scholarships, website & newsletter maintenance, the planning of the annual Philoptochos retreat at the Diakonia Center, emergency relief just to name a few.
Members of the Metropolis Board played a large role in the planning and executing of the successful Children’s Medical Fund Luncheon held in Boca Raton in November of 2009 and worked closely with the National Board to plan the Philoptochos Bi-Annual Conference in Atlanta in July, 2010.
We are also pleased to note that several women from the Atlanta Metropolis also serve on the National Philoptochos Board.
National Philoptochos Board Members from our Metropolis for 2010 - 2012: Helen Ballerano, Helen Doulevaris, Marty Driscoll, Valine Georgeson, Betty Lantz, Helen Malachias, Dee Nicolaou, Laura Nixon, Vicki Scaljon, Evangeline Mekras Scurtis,Patricia Sourlis
Honorary Members: Eula Carlos, Helen Peterson, Mary Plumides
Former National President: Mimi Skandalakis
Atlanta Metropolis Board Committees
| Agape Fundraiser | Rose Marie Connell, chair, Betty Lantz, co-chair |
| Cavalaris Membership Award | Dee Nicolaou |
| Clergy Education | Cindy Xenick, chair, Evi Kaplanis, Effie Moraitakis, Joanna Snider |
| Communications/Website | Marty Driscoll, chair, Florence Lytle, Christine Salzman (staff) |
| Disaster Response | Dee Nicolaou |
| Family & Society | Rose Marie Connell |
| Historian | Jeannie Demas |
| Legislative | Jeannie Demas, chair, Betty Lantz |
| Membership | Florence Lytle, chair, Effie Moraitakis, Koula Poulos |
| National Ctr of Philanthropy | Evan Scurtis with Metropolis of Atlanta Philoptochos Board |
| Orthodox Christian Fellowship | Kiki Rothman, chair, Jeannie Demas, Marty Driscoll, Florence Lytle, Irene Politis, Margaret Sarafoglu |
| Philanthropy | Dee Nicolaou, Koula Poulos |
| Protocol Officer | Evan Scurtis |
| Special Projects | Dee Nicolaou, Margaret Sarafoglu |
| Spiritual Enrichment | Joan Marinos |
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His Eminence Metropolitan Alexios
"Philoptochos is beyond altruism, being grounded on and motivated by the genuine spirit of Christian love. With this foundation of love, Philoptochos finds practical ways to convey the grace of Christ, like the Myrrh-Bearing women who first witnessed the Resurrection, and brought the amazing news, “I have seen the Lord!”
To read his entire letter on the event of our new website CLICK HERE
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Rev. Fr. Paul Kaplanis
Spiritual Adviser to the Metropolis of Atlanta Philoptochos Board
