PHILOPTOCHOS

Saint Paul's Philoptochos Society
St. Paul’s Philoptochos Board of Directors 2011 -2012

(Left to right) Maria Elena Konugres, Pamela Peterson, Kiki Anastopoulos, Cathy Korp, Karen Ekizian, Diana Jianas, Kathy Gabriel, Jeanette Preketes, Nanette Bowman, Dorothea Love, Stella Chavos, Barbara House, Marina Kookootsedes.

This past June, the women of Philoptochos elected the following officers for the next two years who were prayed over and blessed by Father Steve and the entire parish to begin their duties to serve the poor after Liturgy on Sunday, August 14th: Nanette Bowman – President; Jeanette Preketes - First VP; Kathy Gabriel - Second VP; Diana Jianas - Treasurer; Karen Ekizian - Recording Secretary; Cathy Korp - Corresponding Secretary; and Dorothea Love – Advisor and Chaplain. These women, together with the rest of the members of the Philoptochos board of directors, will work together in faith and in love in order to continue Christ’s ministry on earth: to feed the hungry, care for the ill and the lonely, and support the many benevolent and philanthropic projects of Philoptochos here in southern CA, the U.S. and even abroad. In addition, Philoptochos provides opportunities for spiritual growth and fellowship among the women of our parish. All of the women of St. Paul’s, age 18 and over, are welcome to become stewards of Philoptochos and engage in our many outreach programs! In addition, Orthodox men can support us as “Associate Stewards” (non-voting members).

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Membership / Associate Form

The Mission of Philoptochos (Greek, meaning "love for the poor")

to aid the poor, the destitute, the hungry, the aged, the sick, the unemployed, the orphaned, the imprisoned, the widow, the handicapped, victims of disasters, to undertake the burial of the impoverished persons and to offer assistance to anyone who may need the help of the Church;
to promote the charitable, benevolent and philanthropic purposes of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, the Metropolis of San Francisco and St. Paul's Church through instructional programs, presentations, lectures, seminars and other educational resources;
to preserve, perpetuate and promote Orthodox Christian teaching and practice within the Orthodox Christian family, and through them, to promote the Orthodox Faith in accordance with the Scriptures, doctrines, canons, disciplines, worship, and customs of the Church;
to promote participation among the women of our parish in the life and activities of St. Paul's Greek Orthodox Church, in cooperation with the Parish Priest and the Parish Council.

Philoptochos is a Greek word meaning “love for the poor.” It has the same Greek root from which the English word philanthropy is derived.

St. Paul’s Philoptochos is part of a national women’s charitable organization that has 475 chapters around the country and is the largest women's philanthropic organization in the U.S. At St. Paul’s, the women of Philoptochos are involved in a number of outreach projects locally and we support a number of charitable ministries at the national level. Among the philanthropic projects that we support are St. Basil’s Academy, Project Mexico/St. Innocent’s Orphanage, Holy Cross Seminary, Kids N’ Cancer, Trinity Children and Family Services and a variety of local shelters in Orange County. Currently, St. Paul’s has two members on the National Board of Directors of Philoptochos: Kathy Gabriel and Marina Kookootsedes.

Visit the website of National Philoptochos Society
Visit the website of Metropolis of San Francisco Philoptochos Society

The Philoptochos Oath of Office

On this day, I do solemnly affirm and pledge before all that I will serve our Lord Jesus Christ and confess my faith in Him by feeding those who are hungry, providing drink for those who are thirsty, clothing those who are naked, providing a home for those who are orphans, welcoming strangers, caring for the sick, offering aid to victims of natural disasters, assistance to the handicapped and the aged, visiting those who are in prison and being merciful and compassionate towards everyone destitute and in need, as well as fulfill all of the administrative duties and obligations required of the Board of Directors of St. Paul's Philoptochos.

So help me God!

The Prayer of Appointment

Let us pray to the Lord!

Lord Jesus Christ our God, send down your Holy Spirit upon these women called by You to serve the poor in Your Name. Clothe them with compassion. Grant that their service in Your Name may always be pleasing in Your sight. May they find a place at Your right hand on that day when the entire human race will stand before Your dread judgment seat giving an account of how they have lived. Having fulfilled Your commandment of love by their loving service to others, may they enter into the joy of Your kingdom and eternal life.

For You are a merciful and loving God and to You do we offer up glory, together with Your eternal Father and Your all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

Amen.