Bessie Zaharopoulos

President, National Philoptochos Society

Established in 1931 by the late Ecumenical Patriarch, Athenagoras I, and greatly expanded in Canada in 1974 by His Eminence Metropolitan Archbishop Sotirios, Philoptochos Societies are an important part of the Greek Orthodox parishes everywhere.

Philoptochos functions at the local, archdiocesan and international level. As the largest and  most dynamic recognized organization of Greek Orthodox women, Philoptochos supports many charities while spiritually enriching its members through their participation in its work.

"Freely you have received, freely give.” (Matthew 10:8)

The word Philoptochos means “friend of the poor”. Who are the poor? Those who are poor in financial and material resources, yes. But also those who are poor in spirit, poor in health, poor in companionship, poor in emotional stability and poor in whatever is needed to lead a fulfilling life.

Every woman in our parish churches is automatically entitled to become a member of Philoptochos and give her time and effort in order to promote the many outstanding ministries within the Greek Orthodox Church.

Why become an active member?

The benevolent works of Philoptochos are a continuation of Christ’s ministry on earth. Each member has an opportunity, through her participation in the ministries and programs of Philoptochos, to return to God a portion of the time, talents and resources with which He has gifted her. Most importantly, a member reaps the rewards that fellowship and sisterhood can offer to enrich her life.

The Basic Obligations of Philoptochos:   

VASILOPITA (January)

With the funds collected from Vasilopita Philoptochos supports all the programs of our Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I, such as the Hospital, Old Age Home and Orphanage in Constantinople.

ORTHODOX VOICE (February)

Philoptochos supports His Eminence Metropolitan Archbishop Sotirios’ television program, “Orthodox Voice.”  The half hour weekly program, is for our elderly, the sick,  and is the only life line to our religion, customs, and language for our brothers and sisters from the far northern cities and towns of Canada.

ERANOS TIS AGAPIS (During Great Lent)

The income from Eranos Tis Agapis is used to financially help our people in need. 50% of the funds are used locally and 50% are used at the Metropolis level.

MISSIONS (May)

The basic scope of this obligation is to support any program or effort that promotes and preserves Orthodoxy in Canada,  to subsidize Missionary Priests, and to provide financial aid to students of our Theological Academy who are in need.

THEOLOGICAL ACADEMY

A) September

The Elevation of the Holy Cross on September 14^th has been established as the date during which all the Philoptochos Chapters of Canada take out a tray in Church in support of our Toronto Orthodox Theological Academy. The support of Philoptochos is vital in order to keep this institution live and vibrant as the need for priests is great!

 B) Throughout the Year

Philoptochos’s effort to preserve and promote the Orthodox Faith is recognized through her support to the Toronto Orthodox Theological Academy. The vision of the members of Philoptochos is to become one the Academy’s founders, by raising a $1,000,000 dollars. Up to date the Philoptochos chapters of Canada have raised  $525,000.00  for the Toronto Orthodox Theological Academy.

ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE (November)

With this traditional obligation Philoptochos supports the needs and the institutions of our Ecumenical Patriarchate in Constantinople. An “Artoclasia” takes place, as well as prayers for the health of our Ecumenical Patriarch, our Holy Synod and all our Orthodox brothers and sisters who are still living in Constantinople.  The Phanar is preserving our Orthodox Faith and the Greek Orthodox women, always remember their roots and their deep gratitude to the Phanar.

SOCIAL SERVICES (October and February)

The Philoptochos Chapters of Toronto and Vicinity support the offices of the Social Services of our Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto, Canada by each donating $750.00 yearly. These funds,  with the additional $5,000 to $6,000 dollars that the Metropolis Philoptochos Board of Canada provides annually, are used to support the programs for and the needs of abused women and their children who are witnesses of this violence.

For the same cause, the Philoptochos Chapters of Montreal support the offices of the Shield of Athena Social Services and their Women’s Shelter, by each donating  $250.00  yearly.

32 years of Christian Charity and Love!

Philoptochos supports families in need of financial aid. Special food packages are prepared and distributed during the Christmas and Easter Holidays.

The Philoptochos Ladies  regularly visit the hospitals across the country and provide our sick with material and moral support.

Social Services...

The Toronto and Montreal Philoptochos Chapters support our Social Services in Toronto and Montreal and all their programs. They also support the Battered Women Shelters as well as programs for children witnesses to violence.

Support for the Elderly...

Philoptochos supports all Institutions for our seniors, such as the Hellenic Home for the Aged in Toronto and many more across the country. Our chapters also support all our senior programs and events.

Medical Assistance...

During special times and when it is permitted by Red Cross, Philoptochos organizes blood donor Clinics where our donors give “life” to our fellow men, women and children in need.

Missions...

The Philoptochos Chapters of Canada help to build churches in Africa, to dig wells, to sponsor many children around the world, to provide financial and material aid to families in need, to students, to Missionaries and to support many priests.

Helping Teens...

Philoptochos financially supports youth centers for young people who are fighting to save themselves from the various health and social problems of today’s society. We support centers such as the OASIS, K.C. House, Covenant House and Touchstone Youth Shelters.

Philoptochos  financially support children and teens who are in need and interested in participating in our Greek Orthodox Summer Camps.

Greek and Sunday Schools...

Philoptochos supports the needs of our Greek and Sunday Schools as well as any program or event to promote and preserve our Greek language.

Prison Ministry...

Our chapters make frequent visits to local prisons. This program is very successful in Montreal.

In support of our Greek Culture...

Philoptochos plays a leading part in all our cultural functions and helps to preserve and promote our Greek culture.

Sending help...

Philoptochos sends food, clothing and medical supplies to people who are suffering from war, our patriots who are suffering from earthquakes, natural disasters, etc., as well as financial aid.

Medical Clinic in Georgoutsates...

The Philoptochos of Canada, after great effort and hard work, helped establish a Medical Clinic in Georgoutsates, Albania which provides the basic Medical needs, as well as humanitarian aid, to our brothers and sisters , especially the Hellenes living there. With this project, the Philoptochos Ladies,  once again, have sent a message that whatever we dream together as one family, can become reality.

The Philoptochos of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto-Canada....has set as her immediate priorities the relief of pain, the support of our unfortunate brothers and sisters. Philoptochos tries to heal the wounds of poverty, misfortune, sickness, loneliness and desperation.

In the impasse of our times, times of selfishness and isolation, love seeks and finds real needs, which are many and multiply daily....

Thanks to the help of its’ members and its’ donors, Philoptochos supports with exceptional devotion and zeal every one of our brothers and sisters in need, in Canada and around the World!