NEW YORK – Helen Chiotes, philanthropist and renowned journalist with a 40-year career at CBS, passed away on August 5. She was 100 years old. Dr. George Liakeas shared the sad news with The National Herald.

Helen Chiotes was the youngest daughter of Constantine and Vasiliki Chiotes, who came to United States from Sparta, Greece. At an early age, she dedicated her time to studying various forms of dance, expecting to become a ballerina. After attending the Barbizon School of fashion modeling, Chiotes became a fashion and photographic model, though her path eventually led to her career as an executive at CBS.

Chiotes studied journalism at New York University and various subjects at the New York School for Social Research. She focused on adult education at the New York County Lawyers Association and advanced economics at the Henry George School of Social Science.

Among her many awards and honors, Chiotes was the subject of commendation in two separate editions of the book Two Thousand Women Achievement, was featured in the book Foremost Women in Communications, and received recognition for outstanding and continuing meritorious service to CBS.

A member of the Women’s Press Club of New York City, the American Women in Radio and Television, and the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, Chiotes demonstrated her dedication to helping others throughout her life.

In December of 2019, the Managing Director of Who’s Who of American Women announced she would be listed in the 2020 edition of Who’s Who of American Women.

Chiotes also received the Homeric Award from the Chian Federation in 2018 as well as a proclamation from the New York State Senate recognizing that particular honor.

The proclamation noted that “Helen Chiotes has given not only of her time and energies but also of her competence, intelligence and leadership and consequently has been designated for special honor.”

Dedicated to the Greek Orthodox Church, the renowned journalist and philanthropist was an advocate for numerous Greek, American, and Orthodox causes.

In the late 1960s, Chiotes was invited by the late Archbishop Iakovos to participate in a panel on American media which promoted the Greek Orthodox Church. Nine years later, she was instrumental in arranging the first television broadcast of the Divine Liturgy from the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New York.

His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America awarded the Saint Paul Medal to Chiotes during the Grand Opening of the newly renovated Chiotes Family Hall at the Archdiocesan Cathedral on March 11, 2022. His Eminence said at that time: “We came into the Hall through the sanctification of Holy Water, and through the most worthy recognition of our own beloved Helen Chiotes, upon whom we bestowed the highest honor of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America – the Medal of Saint Paul. Her generosity in the renewal of the Hall is just one of the many signs of her service to our Church and community. And we thank her, together with the entire Chiotes family, for this wonderful offering to the community that she has been a vital member of for so many years.”

Archbishop Elpidophoros continued: “Helen: you have had a most distinguished career in journalism, and are well known for your philanthropic spirit. God has granted you a long and fruitful life, and we pray for your continued health and spiritual prosperity.”

“This renovated Chiotes Family Cathedral Hall will be a space of gathering and fellowship, as well as a place for shared meals and smiles for many more years to come,” His Eminence said. “Therefore, my dear Helen, it was with the greatest pleasure that I awarded you with the Medal of Saint Paul as a token of our highest regard and respect for this benefaction to the Cathedral. I pray that as the years go by, the love and generosity that made this renewal of the Hall possible will grow ever so more in our beloved Cathedral Community.”

The viewing will be held at the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, 337 E 74th Street in Manhattan, on Tuesday, August 9, 10:30 AM, with the funeral service to follow at 11:30 AM.

May her memory be eternal.