Mission Statement
of the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos

The Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society, Inc., is the duly accredited women's philanthropic society of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. The mission of the Society shall be:

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 improverished persons and to offer assistance to anyone who who may need the help of the church through fund raising efforts; and

To promote the charitable, benevolent, and philantropic purpose of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, through instructional programs, presentations, lectures, seminars and other educational resources;

To perserve and perpetuate Orthodox Christian concepts and the Orthodox Christian Family, and through them, to promote the Greek Orthodox faith and traditions, in the 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.

The charitable work of the society shall be promoted with discretion, courtesy and kindness.

A Brief History of
"Ai Myrophori" of the Saint George Cathedral

When the greatest Ocecomenical Patriarch of this century. Athenagoras, established the Philoptochos Society in America, he envisioned the new organization as the "Mother of our Church." How prophetic were his words! How truly has "Ai Myrophori" Philoptochos been the Mother of our Cathedral?
It was in 1937, the evening of March 1st, that the Reverand Demetrios Papantaniou, inspired by then Archbishop Athenagoras, invited the ladies of Philadelphia to gather in St. George. The economic depression was upon our nation. Many were destitute and needed assistance. It was decided to for, the first chartered chapter of Philoptochos in Philadelphia to meet the needs of the community. One hundred and twenty members enrolled that first historic evening. They chose the name "Ai Myrophoroi" honoring the Blessed Theotokos and her companions who went to anoint the Body of Our Lord that first Easter dawn. Since then our blessed women have been anointing the Church faithfully with their love and devotion.

How can we in this brief space possibly describe the heroic Christian accomplishments of our Philoptochos? The poverty stricken were housed and fed. The Greek War Relief supported Saint Basil Academy abounds with plaques placed there by the administration honoring the substantial gifts of "Ai Myrophoroi," Saint Michael Old Age Home, Holy Cross Seminary, Athenagoras Manor, The Hellenic Cardiac Program, Foster Parents in Cyprus, Foreign Missions, and Scholarships, all received generous contributions from the Cathedral Philoptochos.
At the local level the Community Center, Parish House and Parish Office furniture, the Church interior doors, Altar and Choir robes, the Hall drapes, Sunday School rooms and Church Kitchen have benefited from Philoptochos generosity. Even a beautiful Cathedral Philoptochos Center and office was built and furnished by the ladies themselves.
How much of the dream of our Patriarch came to fruition. How His blessed spirit must smile in Heaven as he sees our Philoptochos, truly the "Mother of our Church".