| Board of Directors | About Philoptochos | Chapter Programs | Our Mission | |
| Metropolis Programs | About our Emblem | National Programs | Our Social Services |
St. Philothea Philoptochos Society
Chapter #1034
Greek Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral
St. John the Theologian
Tenafly, New Jersey
ST. PHILOTHEA
Patron Saint of our Chapter
Feast Day: February 19th
Philanthropy
Fellowship
Faith in Action
Board of Directors 2023-2025
Executive Board
Maria Kamilaris – President
Rena Pirsos – Vice President
Aspasia Panaretos – Treasurer
Agatha Xenopoulos – Assistant Treasurer
Annemarie Chicles – Recording Secretary
Effie Michalos – Corresponding Secretary
Board Members
Athena Apostle
Stella Baker*
Georgia Christofides
Poly Derdemezis
Gena Dongaris
Anastasia Economos
Elizabeth Goldman
Janet Hilaris
Joanne Kontos
Joanne Lallos
Anna Lilikas
Effie Popovski
Franceska Puleo
Sotiroula Savva
Audrey Soussou
(*Chapter Past Presidents)
Honorary Board Members
Katina Halkias*
Barbara Kostakis* - NJ Metropolis Philoptochos Board Member
Aspasia Melis - National Philoptochos & NJ Metropolis Philoptochos Honorary Board Member &
NJ Metropolis Philoptochos Past President
Harriet Nikolaidis*
Marina Philliou*
Koula Poneros*
(*Chapter Past Presidents)
National Philoptochos Board Member
Stella Baker
Cathedral Proistamenos: Rev. Fr. Gregory Gilbert, Spiritual Advisor
Annually, our St. Philothea Philoptochos Chapter raises and distributes funds
to aid charitable organizations and assist local individuals and families in need.
Chapter Commitments/Programs
Alzheimer’s Association (Greater NJ Chapter)
Autism Speaks
American Cancer Society (Memorial Sloan Kettering Walk sponsorship)
Lustgarten Foundation
Englewood Hospital - Leslie Simon Breast Care
Hackensack University Medical Center (Tomorrows Children/Greek Medical Fund;
Betty Torricelli Institute for Breast Care)
Ronald McDonald’s House (Greek Division)
St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital
Multiple Myeloma
Lampidis Cancer Research
Feeding the Homeless & the Needy
Food Pantries & Food Banks
Hackensack Family Promise
Veteran Support
Doctors Without Borders
Center for Hope & Safety
Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund
National Down’s Syndrome Society
Project Mexico (Orphanage)
Special Olympics (New Jersey)
Deidra’s House (Child abuse victims)
Hellenic Relief Foundation
Shriner’s Children’s Hospital
OCPM Prison Ministry
Operation Classroom - The Comfort Closet
SPARK of Faith Hope & Love: Aid to Greece & Cyprus
ZOE for Life
St. Basil’s Academy
International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC)
St. Michael’s Home for the Aged
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine
C.A.R.E.- CATHEDRAL ADDICTION RELIEF EFFORT
The official Emblem of Philoptochos is the Byzantine Cross
presenting Saints Cosmas and Damianos, the Patron Saints of National Philoptochos
whose name day is celebrated on November 1st
Origins of the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society
Philoptochos, which means “friends of the poor,” is the philanthropic arm of The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. It is the largest Christian women’s organization in the United States with more than 500 chapters and over 25,000 members, each continuing Christ’s ministry on earth and giving their time and talents to improve the lives of those in need.
The Ladies Philoptochos Society was founded by immigrant women of various communities, seeking to give what little they had to assist others more needy than themselves. These community organizations were centered around each Greek Orthodox Church. They were unified and established as the National Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society in 1931 by the then Archbishop of North & South America, His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras I of blessed memory.
National Philoptochos Commitments & Programs
National Philoptochos Commitments are adopted by Chapter delegates at the National Philoptochos Biennial Conventions and approved by His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros. A description of each can be found at philoptochos.org/social services:
Membership (Per-capita)
Academy of Saint Basil - support for the Academy
Autism Assistance Fund
Cancer Fund
St. Photios National Shrine - First Greek Colony
Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC) - International Missionaries
Support a Mission Priest (SAMP) - International
Hellenic College/Holy Cross School of Theology (HC/HC)
Holy Cross School of Theology Scholarships
Sisterhood of Academy of St. Basil's Provisions for the Children
International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC)
75th Anniversary Fund - Nursing Homes/elder care
Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF) - College Outreach
Retired Clergy & Widowed Presbyteres Fund
National Emergency Fund
United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF)
General Medical Fund
Biennial Convention
Biennial Children's Medical Fund Luncheon
Hurricane & Disaster Relief
Aid to Greece and Cyprus
Social Services
Metropolis Philoptochos Commitments & Programs
Membership (Per-capita)
Metropolis Office Fund
Metropolis Social Services
Ecumenical Patriarchate School Initiative
Metropolis Philoptochos Conference
Special Events & Appeals
Social Service Grants to Individuals & Families
Through a discrete and private vetting process, each case is documented and approved by the membership. Our grants help with all of the following:
Prevent evictions, foreclosures, and utility shut-offs
Assist victims of domestic violence
Contribute to uncovered medical costs
Assist with daily living costs, such as for of food and clothing, through supermarket or department store gift cards
Contribute to funeral costs for indigent members of our community
If you know of someone in need please let us know.
In addition to our Chapter commitments, we also offer support to our Cathedral and its organizations via special events, during the holidays, and at our annual festival.
ST. PHILOTHEA, OUR PATRON SAINT
Born Revoula (Paraskevoula) Benizelos in
Athens, Greece, in 1522 to a wealthy byzantine
family during the Turkish occupation,
St. Philothea was betrothed at age 12 to a nobleman who
brutally abused her during their three years of
marriage. After he died, she dedicated her life to
God. She took the name Philothea (friend of God),
built a convent for women, founded schools,
protected women from Turkish abductions,
cared for the poor and sick, and ultimately
was martyred for her faithfulness.
St. Philothea is the Patron Saint of Athens, Gre
Our Mission Statement
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 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 fundraising efforts.
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 Parish Council.
The charitable work of the Society shall be promoted with discretion, courtesy, and kindness.
St. Philothea Philoptochos Society
Chapter #1034
has grown to be one of the largest chapters in the
United States of America.
Join the Philanthropic arm of our church and become a member of the army
of women who believe that one person can make a difference to those in need.
St. Philothea Philoptochos Society
His Eminence Archbishop Elpithophoros
Rev. Fr. Gregory Gilbert, Cathedral Proistamenos