President Aphrodite Skeadas' Direct Archdiocesan District Philoptochos Conference May 16, 2011
Direct Archdiocesan District Philoptochos Conference
Church of Our Saviour
Rye, New York
May 16, 2011
Your Grace Bishop Andonios
Esteemed President of the
Direct Archdiocesan District Maria Skiadas
Hosting Church of Our Saviour
Philoptochos President Jennifer Constantin
Respected Members of the
National and District Philoptochos Boards
Beloved delegates of the
biennial District Philoptochos Conference
National Philoptochos Social
Worker, Paulette Geannacopoulos
Dear Friends,
Christos Anesti!
I am delighted and honored to be present on the occasion of the 2011 Direct Archdiocesan District Philoptochos Conference.
Thank you, Maria Skiadas for your kind invitation to share with all this glorious day. I am privileged to work with Maria, a dedicated and devoted National Philoptochos Executive Board Member, respected by her peers. I recognize National Philoptochos Board members in attendance and thank them for their service. Please rise when I announce your name. Lily Katos, Stella Fiorentino, Nellie Logothetides, Georgia Kaloidis, Stella Pantelides, Callie Tsitsipas, Sylvia Vellios.
On behalf of the National Philoptochos Society, and on behalf of my home parish family and Church of Our Saviour Philoptochos delegates President Jennifer Constantin and Past President Chrissa Skeadas, I extend to you warmest greetings and welcome you to our parish.
We have a strong philanthropic history and an enormous responsibility to spiritually pursue and fulfill our mission. Philoptochos leaves an indelible print wherever it steps foot.
Under the Chairmanship of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, this year the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society, celebrates a milestone 80th anniversary serving those in need with love, reverence and care. Our Society is an enormous team comprised of 27,000 heroes.
I will omit from my comments the entire membership section that I prepared because His Grace covered the topic exquisitely. Please invite, embrace and involve new stewards into our Philoptochos family so that we may grow. I underscore and paraphrase His Graces comments to “share the glory and share the responsibility” and “permit other people do it their way”.
The global economic crisis continues and its ramifications in the United States seem only to heighten. We may hear of economic indicators signifying improvement yet simultaneously we experience worsened social conditions. Yet, Philoptochos women forge forward by providing service and assistance to others while offering hope in fullness of our faith. You make a positive difference in people’s lives and you as the leaders of the Direct Archdiocesan District Philoptochos are applauded.
His Grace Bishop Andonios of Phasiane serves as the spiritual advisor to the National Philoptochos Society and the Direct Archdiocesan District Philoptochos in addition to his many other official duties. It is no surprise then, that His Grace, in offering counsel, direction and guidance, is known as THE pillar of Philoptochos. Thank you, Your Grace. The National Philoptochos Society supports the institutions of our Holy Archdiocese and is committed through outreach to assist the underprivileged.
The Philoptochos President of the Direct Archdiocesan District, the District Board and the chapters of the District continually demonstrate their humanitarian concern and support in a united effort to further the Philoptochos reach. The chapters of the District, under the committed leadership of Maria Skiadas are greatly responsible for the tremendous financial support via the National Ministry commitments. In the last 10 years, the National Philoptochos Society has distributed approximately 13 million dollars in commitments/programs and special collections.
The National Philoptochos Society functions with the highest of ethics, in complete transparency and with full disclosure. The Philoptochos sisterhoods are to be similarly accountable. Philoptochos provides hope and relevance to our beneficiaries.
In year 2010 National Philoptochos disbursed just under $1.4 million and to date in 2011, National Philoptochos has disbursed approximately $566,000. This coming Saturday, May 22, at the 69th Commencement of Hellenic College and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, National Philoptochos will present the President of our beloved scholi, Father Nick Triantafilou, an amount of $119,900 for scholarship and for the school.
Almost three weeks ago, the United States suffered its second largest tornado storm in history. Loss of life and enormous devastation occurred in the south where flooding still prevails. National Philoptochos Society responded to the disaster and sent $20,000 to the International Orthodox Christian Charities marked for emergency relief while offering prayers to the Newly Risen Lord for the victims, their families and all those whose lives are affected.
The National Philoptochos Society recognizes the achievements OF and expresses gratitude TO the District Philoptochos and the District Chapters. The Direct Archdiocesan District Philoptochos, through intent and action, through their good works and through intensive planning, foster unity and growth in Orthodoxy by Gathering Our People To Our Home and inviting those to Come and See.
Plato in his dialog The Republic is credited with (quote) Necessity, WHO is the mother of invention. (end quote) As a proverb, we know it as “Necessity IS the Mother of Invention.” What is factual is the imperative requirement to house our 80 year old noble and blessed organization. Necessity has created urgency for the National Philoptochos Society to secure a stable and permanent home.
We are the mothers of invention. We are not lingering to awake one morning to the next residence crisis…at which time…we would pose THE “where are we going to go?” question. We are not seeking to drift. We are seeking to anchor. We must establish the Philoptochos Center of Philanthropy to exist for all future generations.
After being headquartered for more than 20 years at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Manhattan, and with the blessings of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, the National Philoptochos has begun an initiative to purchase an everlasting home.
To preserve what has been established and to foster future development of the Philoptochos mission, the National Philoptochos Board unanimously voted and the 2010 National Philoptochos Convention delegates unanimously supported the founding of a permanent home for Philoptochos to be located in New York City.
Great efforts have been made by Philoptochos volunteers overcoming what many thought to be as insurmountable obstacles and even perhaps unlikely aspirations. Philoptochos’ tomorrows did not include worrying about from where we will do our good work or to whom we will be paying our monthly rent. No, Philoptochos’ future is clear and you all participate in its vision. To date, more than $1.2 million has been raised towards this goal. This is monumental. You as heroes are victorious, and together with your diligence and prayers, Philoptochos will expand the dimensions of its mission, calling to serve with compassion and dignity.
The National Board shares this vision with the faithful throughout America in a program of education and enlightenment. The audiences throughout the USA are receptive and demonstrate their support with positive benefit. Metropolis Philoptochos Boards of Chicago and Detroit already have responded positively and enthusiastically with successful events producing financial support for the Center. Metropolis Philoptochos Boards of New Jersey and Atlanta similarly are attentive and planning their fundraisers in support of the Center. The National Board looks forward to a Direct Archdiocesan District event promoting the Philoptochos Center of Philanthropy.
Philoptochos is a beacon of shining light which provides hope and enlightenment for the battered, the suffering, the disabled and the hungry. The future Philoptochos Center of Philanthropy will be the permanent residence where we will expand our current social services assistance. Broader programs will include counseling for medical and mental health wellness, case management, and advocacy for women, children, families and seniors. In addition, educational workshops, forums, training sessions and seminars will be developed for our Society on a Chapter, Metropolis and National level. The Center will allow us the opportunity to better serve those most in need and our Chapters nationwide. Philoptochos is not now what it was 80 years ago. Philoptochos will not be in 80 years what it is today. The Center of Philanthropy will be the keystone for the evolution of the future Philoptochos.
The District will host the 13th National Philoptochos Children’s Medical Fund Luncheon at the Hyatt Regency in Greenwich, Connecticut on December 3, 2011. Our beloved Maria Skiadas will serve as chairperson with co-tri-chairs Stella Fiorentino, Lily Katos and Stella Pantelides. In a display of unity and strength, let us offer our time, talent and treasure to ensure the success of the Children’s Medical Fund Luncheon that originated in New York and is making its debut return after 20 years.
The Society is nationally recognized and respected. You, Ladies, are responsible for that accomplishment. Congratulations!
I extend my profound and heartfelt gratitude to His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios for guiding us to maintain paramount the presence of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in our lives and to serve those who need our assistance with agape, distinction and respect. His Eminence’s dynamism and inspirational teachings promote the Philoptochos programs and empower the members to be doers of the Word.
Just as Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, along with other women were the first to discover the empty tomb of our Lord. “On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and other certain women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.” (Luke 24:1-3) Their willingness to approach the tomb in the midst of great sadness and danger is an indication that they possessed incredibly strong faith in Jesus. The actions of those women serve as a powerful message to us today in 2011.
The women of the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society improve the quality of life for so many by offering nourishment to the hungry, medical assistance to the infirmed, shelter to the homeless, schooling to the less educated, and most importantly, friendship to the lonely. Philoptochos women are brave and strong as were the women at the tomb of the Lord. As the myrrh-bearing women went so zealously to anoint the precious body of our Lord despite the great risk so many years ago, we too must continue to anoint the body of the newly risen Lord through our love for all humanity.