History

The pioneers of organized Philanthropy in our Church were a few compassionate ladies of the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New York. Under the guidance of Rev. Methodios Koukoulis, Dean of the Cathedral, and the leadership of Mrs. Anthony Rallis,
Mrs. Nicholas Calvocoresses and Mrs. George Galatis, the first Philoptochos Society was officially established in 1902.

The Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society, Inc., the philanthropic branch of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, was established in November 1931, by the late Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras I. He was then serving as Archbishop of North and South America. Since then the Society has undertaken a multitude of philanthropic programs to aid the poor, the sick, and the elderly. Today, there are approximately 460 Philoptochos Chapters throughout the United States.

During the Great Depression of the thirties, Philoptochos devoted its main efforts to assist the poor and the needy, and these efforts continue to this day. Guided and inspired by Archbishop Athenagoras, the Society focused on war relief efforts for Greece and assisted the American Red Cross during WWII. The work continued and
expanded under the leadership of Archbishop Michael, followed by Archbishop Iakovos.

Dating back to the 1970’s and continuing on to today, the Archdiocesen Cathedral Philoptochos was first to start a program providing nourishing meals to our neighborhood community. The Archdiocesan Cathedral Philoptochos Society partners with the Avenue Church NYC (formerly Jan Hus Church) to feed individuals in need. This mission was created by the late Athena Bubaris who was an active and dedicated member of our Philoptochos Board. Athena purchased and personally prepared the meals and we honor her legacy with this commitment to our fellow New Yorkers. Fifty years later, we are proud to continue to support the tradition of serving healthy, restaurant-quality meals to hundreds of food insecure individuals every Tuesday evening with the “Urban Outreach Center Community Dinner”, helping to feed approximately 200 people weekly.

The Society played, and continues to play, a major role in financially assisting St. Basil Academy, Hellenic College/Holy Cross, St. Michael's Home for the Aged, flood and earthquake victims, and in supporting numerous philanthropic causes of every kind in this community and across the United States.

The philanthropic work of the Archdiocesan Cathedral Philoptochos Society continued under the auspices of Archbishop Spyridon, Archbishop Demetrios, and currently under Archbishop Elpidophoros.

over $100,000 in contributions annually and support for the following:

• Weekly “Feed the Homeless Program”
• Social welfare cases
• Support of individuals and families in crisis
• St. Basil Academy
• Christmas Angel Tree
• Operation Classroom
• Lenox Hill Neighborhood Home
• Contributions to the Archdiocesan Cathedral:
- Sponsorship of Sunday coffee hour
- New Year’s Day sponsorship of the Vasilopita
- Hosting the annual Lenten Supper after the
1st Salutations to the Virgin Mary
- Support the Cathedral School
- Sponsorship of the Cathedral “Liturgy on the Streets”
homeless ministry - LOTS

Major Annual Fundraisers

• The Chrysanthemum
• The Spring Luncheon

national commitments

• Vasilopita, to benefit St. Basil Academy
• Social Services
• Cancer & Other Major Illnesses Fund
• Autism Assistance Fund
• St. Photios Shrine
• Orthodox Christian Missions/Support a Mission Priest
• Hellenic College Holy Cross Lenten Event
• Sisterhood of Saint Basil Academy
• International Orthodox Christian Charities
• 75th Anniversary Founders Fund
• Orthodox Christian Fellowship
• Hellenic College Holy Cross Scholarship Fund
• Retired Clergy and Widowed Presvyteres Benevolent Fund
• National Philoptochos Emergency Fund
• Ecumenical Patriarchate
• National Sisterhood of Presvyteres APC-NSP Benevolent Fund
• UNICEF
• General Medical Fund

Archdiocesan District Commitments

• Hellenic Cultural Center
• Holy Cross Seminary Scholorship Fund
• St. Michael’s Home for the Aged