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Message from the National President of Philoptochos

GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AMERICA GREEK ORTHODOX LADIES PHILOPTOCHOS SOCIETY, Inc.

 

7 WEST 55th STREET, NEW YORK, N.Y. 10019 • TEL: (212) 977-7770 • FAX: (212) 977-7784 Web: www.philoptochos.org • E-mail: philosny@aol.com

 

 April 24, 2013

 

Dear National Board Members, Chapter Presidents and Beloved Philoptochos Stewards,

 

As we approach the glorious Resurrection of our Lord we hear His voice calling us to continue our commitment to serve others. The Philoptochos Stewards continue the Lord's work, offering assistance to those in need.

 

The impact of the European economic crisis has severely affected Greece and now Cyprus. The crisis is expanding and deepening, affecting all sectors of society. Both countries require humanitarian aid and the need increases daily.

 

This spring Greece officially posted the highest rate of unemployment for the entire EU - 27% while 60% of job seekers have not worked in more than a year. The Greek economy shrunk by 20%. More than 1,000 businesses and 500,000 jobs vanished while benefits and wages spiral downward and taxes increase significantly. Many faced the cold winter without heat in their homes. Depression and suicide, especially among youth and adolescents, soared by 20%. Food centers feed thousands daily. It is estimated that 10% of the Greek children face hunger.

 

Our Cypriot brothers and sisters, although initially did not feel the impact of the economic crisis recently found themselves in the same situation as our compatriots in Greece. For this reason we cannot remain indifferent to their suffering but as true followers of Christ we are called to respond to those in need.

 

Besides our Christian duty we feel also an obligation as Greek Americans to respond to those who were there for us when we were in need. In recent history, Cyprus responded positively when needed by the United States. In 2006 Cyprus evacuated 25,000 Americans from Lebanon and in 2003 Cyprus allowed tens of thousands of American troops to use their country for access to Iraq when the US was denied use of the American base in Turkey. Now, our brethren in Cyprus need our help and we must do our best to respond to their needs.

 

Philoptochos must continue to act for the benefit of the welfare of our fellow brothers and sisters. The Aid to Greece and Cyprus Campaign will consist of two funding initiatives in 2013. The first initiative will commence immediately with action by the Executive and National Board members. Each member will sponsor a personal fund raising event of her choice during the months of April, May and June to aid Greece and Cyprus.

 

The second initiative embraces all the Philoptochos Chapters and will occur on Sunday, September 22, 2013 as "National Philoptochos Fellowship Sunday." On this day, Philoptochos Chapters throughout the country are asked to host a Parish Coffee Hour in support of the campaign to raise funds for Aid to Greece and Cyprus. Chapters are asked to host the event by supplying coffee, tea, fruit, pastry or other menu items. A donation basket is recommended for contributions for our Greek and Cypriot brethren. Please ask your Parish Priest to encourage participation and speak on the importance of continuing our efforts to help. Best efforts will be made to ensure transparency and accountability of the religious and non-governmental beneficiary organizations in Greece and Cyprus.

 

Please open your hearts and offer full support to this endeavor by sending your Philoptochos Chapter collection marked Aid to Greece and Cyprus Campaign to the National Philoptochos Society at 7 West 55th Street, New York, NY 10019.

 

In this Holy season of Great Lent, the Stewards of Philoptochos reflect upon our relationship with God and offer our most fervent prayers as united we serve in the name of our Lord and Saviour.

Your sisters in Christ,

 

 

Aphrodite Skeadas

President

Elaine Cladis

 Aid to Greece and Cyprus Campaign Chair

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Here is a report on the distribution of funds raised by our Philoptochos Society.

 

 The Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society, with the help of your philanthropia, has donated a total of $210,000, to date, to the following Church organizations and philanthropic agencies:

 

$25,000 International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC)

IOCC used the donation to provide medical supplies and food staples to the people affected by the economic crisis.

 

$50,000 Apostoli

Apostoli,the philanthropic arm of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Greece, providesimmediate assistance to children, the elderly,and families suffering from hunger, disabilities and illness. Every monththey distribute 3,000 parcels with basic food staples to 96 distribution centers within local parishes.

 

$50,000 Holy Metropolis of Thessaloniki

The Holy Metropolis of Thessaloniki is helping regional churches in their existing philanthropic efforts to help the needy on a daily basis.

 

$25,000 Holy Archdiocese of Crete

The Archdiocese of Crete is helping individuals and families that are in dire need byproviding food and medical supplies.

 

$10,000 Kivotos tou Kosmou (Ark of the World)

The destitute children helped by Kivotos tou Kosmou are dependent on them for their food, clothing, shoes, schooling, doctors, medicine, everything. Kivotos provides services to 150 needy children and meals to 1,300 people daily. They also have a philoxenia house with 40 rooms for abused mothers and their children. Their goal is to keep families together.

$25,000 Theotokos Foundation

The Theotokos Foundation provides services for children and adults with learning and other developmental disabilities. Due to the financial crisis in Greece, their financial assistance has been reduced substantially making it very difficult for them to provide care for those in need.

 

$25,000 Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)

Doctors Without Borders in Greece will be using our donation to work in close collaboration with city municipalities in the center of Athens with the most excluded and vulnerable groups. Tuberculosis is a growing problem in Athens and with their 40% budget cut, the Ministry of Health is unable to properly deal with this population. Our donation to Doctors Without Borders will allow them to offer screenings and will help them support TB patients throughout their treatment. Doctors Without Borders is also helping the Government of Greece and the EU to better understand how to more efficiently and effectively utilize the resources that are available.

 

Philoptochos efforts to help our brethren in Greece and now Cyprus are ongoing. Wecan make a difference.

Pascha 2013

 

Beloved National Board, Chapter Presidents and Stewards of the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society,

 

Christos Anesti! Alithos Anesti! I greet you in thanksgiving as we celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. We are invited to "Come and Receive the Light." During Great and Holy Lent we walk together towards the sacred mystery of unconditional love found in the Crucifixion and Resurrection of our Lord marking the emergence from darkness.

 

"Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other 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. And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen!" (Luke 24:1-6)

 

The Myrrh bearing women made their way to the tomb where the body of Jesus had been laid after the Crucifixion. The act of burial had been rushed and incomplete. The Body of Jesus had not been properly anointed and prepared for burial. To almost all present, this seemed to be an unimportant detail. It was not so to the faithful women who had followed and believed in Jesus. Despite possible persecution and ridicule, they visited the tomb not knowing if they may be harassed, chased away or face worse consequences by soldiers guarding the tomb. These icons were fearless and nothing would prevent their attention to this last but most critical detail. Because of their love and service, they were the first to hear the life-changing and eternal news of salvation: "He is not here, but is risen!"

 

The era then was unstable and shifting as it remains today, some 2,000 years later. Suffering is widespread, caused by natural disasters, economic crises and senseless tragedies while love sometimes is lacking or is even absent. That is not so for the faithful Stewards of the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society. They act as soldiers of good, lead the march for social justice and improve the quality of life for the underprivileged and disenfranchised.

 

Mindful of the details of this life which others are sometimes quick to dismiss as unimportant, the bold, strong and vital women of Philoptochos care for those in need. To most in this world, it is an unimportant detail that does not interfere with living. The Philoptochos Stewards see the care for the needy, not as an unimportant detail, but as a privilege that is a central act of love and devotion.

 

The willingness of the brave women to approach the tomb in the midst of great sadness and danger is an indication that they possessed incredible faith in Jesus. In the sacred footsteps of the Myrrh bearing women, the ladies of Philoptochos follow to this day. It was the women at the tomb, because of their mindfulness and care, who were greeted by the most stunning moment in history: gazing and being the first to witness the Resurrected Lord Jesus.

 

The Myrrh bearing women were faithful, tireless, and decisive as are the Philoptochos women today. We are made in the likeness of the Lord and are offered the gift of free will. The choice, and it is the most important choice anyone makes, is whether or not to live with Christ. Once that decision is made there is order, whether with ease or with difficulty.

On behalf of the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society, I thank you for your devoted service to Christ and His Church and wish to you and your loved ones the peace, grace and love that comes to the world from the empty tomb of the Saviour, Jesus Christ.

 

With agape in the Resurrected Christ,

 

Aphrodite Skeadas

President


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In the news:




 Please read the important announcement listed in our"News from our Orthodox Community" in opening section of our web site,  about the National Philoptochos distribution of $ 160,000 for aid to the people of Greece.   





  




                        





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