History

The Ladies Philoptochos Society is the official philanthropic organization of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese in America.  The name means “friends of the poor”, being derived from the Greek words philo (friend) and phtohos (poor).  The national organization was established in 1931 and is comprised of more than 25,000 members in more than 400 chapters nationwide.  It is the largest Christian women’s organization in America, recognized in the Uniform Parish Regulations, and a non-governmental organization registered with the United Nations.

The beginning of the Philoptochos Society can be traced back to the late nineteenth century when hundreds of immigrants were arriving daily into the US from Greece, Asia Minor and Constantinople. In 1894, the focus of the ladies was to welcome newcomers and help them adjust to their new environment.  

Throughout the nation women’s clubs were being formed and in 1909, a Philoptochos Society was formed in Chicago, utilizing the facilities of a social center, the Hull House, as its headquarters. Miss Jane Addams, a fervent philhellene, was the director and founder of Hull House, and rendered immeasurable services to the Greek community. Greek Orthodox women welcomed and assisted immigrants arriving to make their new home in America.  This group became the prototype for many other Philo societies established in the city.  The purpose of the organization was to provide fellowship to its members, visit the sick, help the poor and establish Sunday School and evening school programs. Never forgetting their native country, they would also sew and collect clothing to send to Greece. 

In an article published for the 50th Anniversary of the National Philoptochos, author Terry Kokas notes, “The first tangible evidence of the philanthropy of Greek women was officially recorded on June 29, 1920, in a letter addressed to Archbishop Alexander of Rodostolou. The letter thanked the Archbishop for contributions received, among which was a $200 donation form the Greek Women’s Benevolent Association of Chicago”. Kokas also wrote “In 1909, a Philoptochos Society was formed in Chicago”.

In 1931, Archbishop Athenagoras identified an urgency for providing philanthropic and relief services to the poor and to those struggling to assimilate into the American way of life. He established the National Philoptochos Society as the official philanthropic arm of the Church. Hundreds of existing chapters were merged to function under the Archdiocese (national) Constitution with specific bylaws. 

The Archbishop requested that Saints Kosmas and Damianos be designated Patron Saints of all chapters. St. Kosmas and his twin brother St. Damianos were physicians who offered services freely to the needy much like the ladies of Philoptochos. The saints were referred to as the ‘wonder-workers’.

Before the establishment of the Philoptochos Board of the 2nd Archdiocesan District (later known as the Diocese, now Metropolis, of Chicago), the chapters had already unified and combined their efforts to help with the Greek War Relief, to assist our brothers and sisters emigrating to our country after the Greek Civil War. During wartime, Philoptochos ladies wholeheartedly joined the Red Cross unit, roiling bandages and sending packages to the soldiers. Philoptochos also generously contributed to the newly established Holy Cross Theological Seminary.

In 1957, the first meeting of the 2nd Archdiocesan District (Diocese) Philoptochos chapters was hosted by SS. Constantine & Helen Church, where Presbytera Stella Petrakis was elected President. At her retirement, a gala luncheon was held. This luncheon set the stage for a long-standing tradition of honoring the immediate Past President.

As time passed the Greek Orthodox population grew, more churches were built and dioceses were formed as the regional governing arms of the Archdiocese. In 1960, the first meeting of the National Board outside of the Archdiocese of New York took place.  Locally, the first Combined Vasilopita Ball, benefitting St. Basil’s Academy, was introduced and welcome and farewell teas for the Consul Generals of Greece were hosted.  Women took turns on a monthly basis to sponsor teas for the benefit of refurbishing the Diocese Office and Residence.  The last such affair was the Festival of Tables Luncheon. The following year, our Annual Metropolis Luncheon was implemented.

When Bishop (later Metropolitan) Iakovos of blessed memory, arrived in 1979 he shared his vision for every parish to have a Philoptochos chapter. With his blessings and guidance, Chicago was the first to establish Presidents Meetings and a Newsletter for communication among our chapters. To assist His Eminence in reaching those in need, our Bishop’s Welfare Fund was initiated. He encouraged the formation of the Metropolis Philanthropy Fund to assist the Greek Orthodox of our Metropolis rendering financial and moral support. The Hellenic Heart Program was also established and sponsored Greek children in need of complex heart surgery, while providing moral support, housing and transportation in conjunction with Children’s Memorial Hospital.  

Many other projects and commitments were initiated over the years. Aware of the needs of our community at large, the Feed the Hungry Program was established over 25 years ago with the cooperation of the Chicago area chapters. We also established the Nouna Committee, which worked with the Fairy Godmother Foundation, to grant a smile and a wish to terminal patients over 18 years of age.  This program was well received by our chapters until the Foundation Board decided to disband. To offer temporary housing for families of patients undergoing treatment at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, Philoxenia House was founded by the church community of Holy Anagyroi. Our chapters have supported this worthy endeavor since its inception. 

Chicago has been the host for the National Philoptochos Children’s Medical Luncheon twice, most recently in November of 2019. Over 1,150 guests attended this affair and raised more than $500,000 for hospitals and other organizations that assist the needs of children. Approximately $300,000 in grants were distributed to various organizations within the Metropolis of Chicago on the day of the luncheon.  

We host two Quilt-A-Thons annually in the Chicagoland area, one on the northside and one on the southside to support children living with HIV/AIDS and other terminal illnesses. Recently, we have adopted the Dress-A-Girl project as a Metropolis event. To help us stay grounded in our Greek Orthodox spiritualty, an Annual Lenten Retreat was established and has been in existence for over 25 years. Over the years, His Eminence, Metropolitan Iakovos of blessed memory held an Annual Christmas Open House at the Metropolis Home and our chapters all assisted with decorations and refreshments. Currently, Metropolitan Nathanael has taken the Open House out to the Metropolis Community. 

The Metropolis of Chicago Philoptochos contributes to the National Philoptochos, enabling them to generously donate between one to two million dollars annually to national and international philanthropic endeavors.   

Our Metropolis has been privileged to have had the following Bishops as shepherds: Kallistos, Gerasimos, Ezekiel, Aimilianos, Meletios, Timotheos, Philotheos, Iakovos and currently, Metropolitan Nathanael of Chicago. Our Metropolis of Chicago Philoptochos Board has been honored to have the leadership of Past Presidents Presbytera Stella Petrakis*, Theony Pandazides*, Maria Demopoulos*, Sofia Shane*, Beatrice Marks*, Helen Theodosakis, Frances Karapas*, Georgia Barris*, Susan Regos*, Mary Ann Bissias, Lori Voutiritsas, Joanne Stavrakas, Irene Arsoiniadis, and Pamela Argyris. Our current President is Marilyn Tzakis. Under their guidance, our Metropolis Philoptochos has grown to 56 active chapters that continue our Philoptochos mission.

*deceased in the Lord