Archbishop Elpidophoros has declared this Sunday to be the Inaugural National Philoptochos Sunday, to celebrate the rich legacy of this important organisation of the Greek Archdiocese of America.
National Philoptochos Sunday will be celebrated every year to honour the thousands of women throughout our Archdiocese who are a part of this vibrant ministry.
Read the full message of Archbishop Elpidophoros of America:
Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
On this Sunday of the Good Samaritan, we are inaugurating National Philoptochos Sunday, in recognition of their decades of good works on behalf of the Church and the entire human family. The Greek Orthodox Church in America is truly unthinkable without the Philoptochos. Every Parish is supported, nourished, and enriched by its Ladies Philoptochos Society. They are, for all of us, a sisterhood of Martha and Mary, dedicated servants of the Church and the wider community, and living icons of reflection on the teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ.
They are called “Friends of the Poor” for a reason. The charitable and eleemosynary deeds of the Philoptochos sustain all manner of life in our communities, both near and far. They provide us all an opportunity to do well in our lives by doing good. We should generously support their philanthropy in every way possible.
In setting aside this particular Sunday, that of the “Good Samaritan,” we are recognising the compassion and generosity that Philoptochos provides every day in the life of the Church. We thank them for their labors of love for all people, and for the example, they set in our Parishes from coast to coast. May they all hear the words of the Lord as were voiced by the Samaritan we call “Good”: “Ἐγὼ ἐν τῷ ἐπανέρχεσθαί Με ἀποδώσω σοι. When I come again, I will repay you.” (Luke 10:35).
With paternal love in our Lord Jesus Christ,
Archbishop Elpidohporos of America
Source: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America