Philoptochos

Philoptochos is the separately incorporated Philanthropic arm of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.

History

Some seventy years ago, at a time when a woman's role was that of amother and homemaker, and her effort in leadership in the world ofbusiness, education and government was but a dream, His EminenceArchbishop Athenagoras had a vision of the role women could play in thelife of the Orthodox Church. The Society was founded in 1931 byArchbishop Athenagoras. Today, Philoptochos chapters are located inevery Greek Orthodox parish in the United States.

The mission of Philoptochos is:

• 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, philanthropic and educational purposes of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, through instructional programs, presentations, lectures, seminars and other educational resources;
• To promote participation in the activities of the Greek Orthodox community, with the cooperation of the parish priest and parish council;
• To preserve the perpetuate the Orthodox Christian concept of marriage and family, and through it, to promote the Greek Orthodox faith and traditions, in accordance with its doctrines, canons, discipline, divine worship, usages and customs.