NEW YORK – In 2014, the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society asked its chapters and stewards to join the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America in supporting the historic construction of the Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine – while still meeting their long-time fundamental mission to serve the needy among us.

The 25,000 Philoptochos stewards across the United States rose to the challenge which they embraced with faith, energy, and spirited dedication. Since that time, the Philoptochos contributed $11,293,921 to brothers and sisters in need, emergencies across the globe and deserving institutions, causes, and programs. The women of Philoptochos raised these funds through fundraising events and individual contributions, all the while inspiring their communities by their example of love for Christ and His message. 

The following is a partial list of the charitable grants of nearly $10 million dollars during this period:

Saint Basil Academy

Social Services

Hellenic College/Holy Cross School of Theology

Children’s Medical Fund

Philanthropies of the Ecumenical Patriarchate

National Philoptochos Emergency Fund

Aid to Greece & Cyprus

The National Philoptochos Executive Board approved a $50,000 disbursement in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo: Courtesy of the National Philoptochos Society)

But that’s not all. As the Philoptochos fulfilled its mission, one dollar at a time, their stewards also embraced a return to hands-on philanthropy. And so, while feeding more than 4,000,000 meals to the homeless and hungry, while offering much needed supplies to underserved schools across the United States, and while developing educational initiatives addressing serious problems faced by our communities, the stewards of the Philoptochos also opened their hearts and contributed $1,665,000 to the Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine.

For 89 years, the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society has offered generous and continuous assistance, love and faith wherever and whenever a need arises – not only to our local communities, metropolises and nation – but around the world, as well.

The Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society is the philanthropic arm of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.

More information is available online: www.philoptochos.org.

The stewards of the Philoptochos have also opened their hearts and contributed $1,665,000 to the Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine. (Photo: TNH/Zafeiris Haitidis)