Pascha 2008

Dear Chapter Presidents and Members,

The period of Lent is called the "spiritual spring which blossoms with the fruits of the Spirit... love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control."

This Lenten season offers us the opportunity for renewal, reflection, introspection, special prayer and philanthropic actions. It is a journey whose actions result in a thoughtful evaluation of ourselves, and it becomes a time to renew our Christian identity as people of compassion.  It is a time that we need to intensify our dedication to the mission of Philoptochos and our commitment to philanthropy.  It is through our acts of charity, our dedication to philanthropy and an intensified commitment in this regard that we begin to approach the objective of loving God and one another.  The act of appreciating more fully God's love also enables us to respond accordingly with acts of love and philanthropia towards all people. 

We are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works.  I feel that we are privileged to be the vehicles that express this special love for all humanity.  God has made us with unique combinations of personality traits, abilities and talents, and He has blessed us with a glorious abundance of spiritual gifts.  Manage these beautiful spiritual gifts and talents well, so that God's generosity can flow through you, as we use them to effectively serve Philoptochos and our mission, for the benefit all humanity.    Our goal, as Philoptochos members,  is to make a positive difference in the world, to touch people's hearts, to create joy and to inspire those around us.  Within each of us is the capacity to express love, to show compassion, to share a special moment and to make a difference.  When you open your heart, you add light to the world.

I encourage each of you to take the time and to make the effort to examine your inner self and to explore the virtues and the benefits of joy, hope, compassion, generosity, patience and love, which tend to be much stronger and much more in the forefront of our thoughts at this most special time of the year, this very Holy and sacred journey of Great Lent, into Pascha, the true Festival of Festivals, the Feast of complete joy, hope, reawakening and eternal life.

May the divine light of our resurrected Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ always fill your hearts with His peace, grace and joy. 

Kali Anastasi!

With love in Christ,

Georgia Skeadas
National Philoptochos President