Philoptochos
Become a member of Philoptochos! Whether you are new to the Assumption community or you are a lifetime member of our parish, we encourage you to become a member of St. Barbara’s Philoptochos. At last count, our chapter has 100 pledged members. Membership is open to all women (and men) over 18 years of age who are of the Greek Orthodox faith.
If you are willing to commit any amount of time to any one of our many ministries and programs, whether it is packing backpacks for families in need; collecting school supplies for Vista del Camino; reading to orphaned children; visiting the sick and elderly; adorning icons; participating in the National AIDS walk; baking paximadia, selling raffle tickets at the CrabFest, etc., you will be greatly rewarded. As members we get so much more than we give and we are rewarded with fellowship and lifelong friendships that enrich all our lives.
As the philanthropic heart of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society has for over 78 years, undertaken a multitude of philanthropic programs to aid the poor, the sick, and the elderly (www.philoptochos.org). With over 27,500 members nationwide, Philoptochos is one of the largest Christian women’s philanthropic organizations in the United States. The structure of Philoptochos includes the National Board, Metropolis Boards and approximately 475 Chapters in parishes throughout the Archdiocese.
The Mission of the Ladies Philoptochos 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 Archdiocese of America, through instructional programs, presentations, lectures, seminars and other educational resources;
To preserve and perpetuate Orthodox Christian concepts and the 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 Parish Priest and the Parish Council (www.philoptochos.org)
A gift of time, talent and treasure each of us through our participation in the ministries and programs of Philoptochos, have the opportunity and privilege to return to God a small portion of the time, talent and treasures with which He has so generously blessed us.