Our Philoptochos Ladies
GREEK ORTHODOX LADIES PHILOPTOCHOS SOCIETY
Of SURREY & FRASER VALLEY
STS. CONSTANITINE & HELEN, CHAPTER #68
13181 96TH AVE, SURREY BC V3V 1Y2
Philoptochos means “friends of the poor” but not only in the sense of financial and material resources. Philoptochos also aids people who are poor in spirit, poor in health, poor in emotional stability, poor in companionship, and those poor in whatever is needed to lead a fulfilling life. Philoptochos is the right arm of the Orthodox Community and is always prepared to assist whatever and whenever needed.
The “Philoptochos Society” was born about 45 years ago when small groups of women in several Greek communities throughout the United States joined together by Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras, Patriarch of North and South America. He was later to become His Holiness Athenagoras 1, Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople and spiritual leader of world Orthodoxy, in 1974 Philoptochos was expanded in Canada by his Eminence Metropolitan Archbishop Sotirios.
The Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society is the women’s philanthropic society of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Canada.
The mission of the Society:
- To aid the poor, the destitute, the hungry, the aged, the sick, the unemployed, the orphaned, the imprisoned, the widowed, the handicapped, the victims of disasters, to undertake the burial of impoverished persons and to offer assistance to anyone who may need the help of the Church through fund raising efforts; and
- To promote the charitable, benevolent, and philanthropic purposes of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Canada, through instructional programs, presentations, lectures, seminars and other educational resources;
- To preserve and perpetuate Greek Orthodox Christian concepts and the Greek Orthodox Christian Family, and through them, to promote the Greek Orthodox Faith and traditions, in accordance with its doctrines, canons, discipline, divine worship, usages and customs;
- To promote participation in the activities of the Greek Orthodox community, with the cooperation of the Presiding Priest and the Church Community Council.
The charitable work of the Society shall be performed with discretion, courtesy and kindness.
“Freely you have received, freely you give.” (Matthew 10:8)
“It is More Blessed to Give Than to Receive” (Acts 20:35)
Philoptochos Obligations National & Local Projects:
National Philoptochos Society
Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto (Canada)
Disaster Relief
Metamorphosis Greek Orthodox Summer Camp
Completed Projects within the Church
Canadian Breast Cancer Society
Surrey Memorial Hospital:
NICU-Neonatal intensive Care Unit & Youth Mental Health
Staples – School Supplies for Kids
Social services
Community Greek School
Food Bank
Metropolis Philoptochos Obligations:
January – Vasilopita – Retreat with Metropolitan Sotirios at our church on January 28th, 2017
February 5th – Tray for Orthodox Voice
February 19th – Tray – St. Philothei
April 1st – Eranos Agapis – All month long Making of Tsourekia for Easter Fundraiser
April 7th – Make Crosses & Decorate Church for Palm Sunday
April 9th – Tray Eranos Agapi
April 14th Decorating Epitaphio and Icons
May 8th – Order flowers for mother’s day (14)
May 20th – Decorate Sts. Constantine & Helen Icon – Prepare for Vespers and Refreshments
May 21st – Sts. Constantine & Helen Name Day of our Church – All month preparation for Food Festival
June – Food Festival
July – Break
August 15th – Panagias Icon Decorated
September 10th – Theological Academy Tray
September 14th – Tou Stayrou – Flowers
September 16th – Fall Lunch
October TBA –
November 12th – Tray Ecumenical Patriarchate
November TBA – General Meeting – Turkey Raffle
December – All month making Melomakarona & Kourampiedew for Fundraiser – Draw Turkey Raffle
Our primary fundraisers are: Tsourekia sold at Easter
Melomakarona and Kourabiedes at Christmas
(Periodically during the year as well)
Both fundraisers have continuously been successful. We also have Lamb (Easter) and Turkey (Christmas) Raffles. During the rest of the year we do “on the spot”
fundraising as the occasion arises, lunches, bake sales etc.
Executive:
President Aggeliki (Kiki) Panago
Vice President Lynn (Eleni) Kottas
Recording Secretary Marina McKave
Corresponding Secretary Vasso (Vassilia) Varsakis
Treasurer Leontia Kagarie
Assistant Treasurer Vasiliki Tsarouhas
Board Members:
Maria Kantarakias Cathy Mavritsakis
Maria Mysic Antigone Pitsos
Alexandra (Aleka) Soursos Anastasia (Tasia) Vassos
Every woman in our parish can become a member of Philoptochos and give her time and effort. You can become an active member or a support member.
Every lady is encouraged to join..
The Philoptochos provides various church services.
Two of the services include:
- Koliva, coffee and paximadia after memorial services. The cost of a Tray of Koliva, coffee and Paximadia is $330.00 dollars, served.
- For Makaria, following a funeral burial, the ladies can provide sandwiches, fruit trays, vegetable trays, paximadia, and coffee for $12.00 dollars per person. Family to provide the brandy, flowers, and any other refreshment they wish to present for the memorial.
- If you would like a hot meal for a Makaria, it can be arranged by talking to the ladies.
Please speak with Father first to book your memorial before contacting the
ladies of Philoptochos.
Greek Orthodox Community of Surrey & Fraser Valley.
13181 96 Avenue, Surrey, BC V3V 1Y2
Phone: 604-496-5099