Philoptochos Perspective
Philanthropy • Fellowship • Faith in Action
Fall 2021
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President's Letter
Dear Fellow Philoptochos Sisters
and Friends of Philoptochos:
The first three months of the new Ecclesiastical year have been very busy and exciting in this Metropolis. We had a very successful September Luncheon, Essence of Philotimo, co-chaired by Dena Pavlopoulos, Carol Stamas and Kathi Stamatis. Congratulations to them and their committee. Over 300 people attended, the atmosphere was filled with gladness and philotimo as many saw the faces of new and old friendships that they had missed for the past few years.
In October, we had the Metropolis Clergy Laity and Philoptochos Assembly in St. Louis, MO. Congratulations to Helen Carey and Carol Kamburis, co-chairs, to Father Doug Papulis and Father Michael Arbanas and the Parish and Philoptochos of St. Nicholas, St. Louis, MO. and to Father Achilles and the Parish and Philoptochos of SS. Constantine & Helen, Swansea., IL. Over 300 delegates, 80 of which were Philoptochos attended. We discussed current business, updated everyone on National News, our special guest was the National Philoptochos President, Arlene Siavelis Kehl, had various break-out sessions and held our Metropolis Board elections. We had many new Presidents and first-time delegates. All left feeling well informed and full of new ideas.
On October 27th, this Metropolis was honored and blessed to have His All Holiness, Patriarch Bartholomew visit South Bend, IN. It began with a doxology in an over-filled church at St. Andrew, South Bend. His All Holiness in his homily addressed the issues of the faithful, especially the youth.
“You know the existential pursuits and problems of our faithful, and especially the youth, about whom the Holy and Great Council of the Orthodox Church (in Crete, 2016) decreed that “they are not simply “the future’ of the Church, but the active expression of the Church’s life in this world for the love of God and the love of humankind. (Encyclical,, paragraph 7)” A commencement ceremony followed later that afternoon at the Basilica at Notre Dame University. His All Holiness addressed those present and especially the college students,
“Dear friends,
It is our obligation before God, neighbor, and creation to assume responsibility for addressing climate change and suppressing the pandemic. After the historic Holy and Great Council held in Crete five years ago, in the wake of a long preparation that lasted an entire century, the Ecumenical Patriarchate appointed an official commission to draft a document on the social implications of our faith. This text, which is entitled For the Life of the World: Toward a Social Ethos of the Orthodox Church and was endorsed by our Holy and Sacred Synod, reminds us that “we are dependent creatures, creatures ever in communion, and hence we are also morally responsible not only for ourselves or for those whom we immediately influence or affect, but for the whole of the created order.” (Paragraph 76)
And on this journey, it is you – college students – that offer us the optimism that we so yearn for: The readiness to accept change and sacrifice, the capacity to overcome polarization and partisanship, the conviction to be catalysts of social and ecological justice, as well as – quite frankly – the opportunity to save democracy and our planet. May God grant your generation the necessary wisdom and courage to continue leading this charge and mandate.”
We celebrated our Patron Saints, Cosmas and Damianos on October 31 and November 1st at St. Demetrios, Elmhurst, IL. Once again, we thank Reverend Archimandrite Dionysios Anagnostopoulos, Father Theofanis Rauch, Christiana Panoussis, President of the Philoptochos and all her Board and members along with the Parish of St. Demetrios for hosting this event. Every year we celebrate together. Your continued hospitality is both generous and gracious.
On November 6, 2021, the National Children’s Medical Fund Luncheon was held in Indianapolis, IN. The chapters of this Metropolis were well represented. Our own Pam Argyris was honored as the 2019 National Children’s Medical Luncheon Chair. Congratulations to the Metropolis of Detroit Philoptochos for hosting a most successful Luncheon for the Children.
On November 14, Good Samaritan Sunday, we celebrated Philoptochos Sunday, as decreed by His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros at the 2019 National Children’s Medical Fund Luncheon held in our Metropolis. Thank you to all the chapters who highlighted all their good works of Philanthropy.
During these times of uncertainty, Philoptochos has been resilient. A prayer from the book by Jane and Keith Provance, Keep Calm and Trust God sums up why we do what we do for Philoptochos.
Lord,
Please help me to press on and persevere. When it seems everything is stacked against me, remind me that You are always with me. When it feels as though the situations in my life are too much for me to handle, remind me that I am not handling them alone.
When it’s the day-to-day grind that has slowly eroded away my tenacity to keep going, remind me who I am doing it for. When the bills seem to overwhelm and my energy seems to have but evaporated, remind me that You are my source and You never run dry.
No matter what this life throws at me, no matter who doubts me, no matter where I find myself, I know that You are my God and You will see me through to the other side!
WISHING YOU A MOST JOYOUS ADVENT SEASON!
Yours in Christ,
Marilyn
Marilyn Tzakis
President, Metropolis of Chicago Philoptochos
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IN THIS ISSUE
Metropolis News
President's Letter, Calendar of Chapters Events, September Luncheon, Clergy Laity/ St. Louis, The National Philoptochos Children's Medical Fund Luncheon, Patriarchal Visit, St. Nicholas Shrine at Ground Zero, IOCC 5K Walk, Dress-A-Girl, Feed the Hungry
Chapter News
St. Luke-Columbia, MO, St. Demetrios-Chicago,
Holy Trinity-Chicago, Holy Trinity-Sioux City, IA,
St. Haralambos-Niles,St. John the Baptist-Des Plaines,
St. George-Chicago, Ascension of our Lord-Lincolnshire,
St. George-Schererville, IN, St. Demetrios- Libertyville,
Holy Apostles-Westchester, Sts. Constantine & Helen-Palos Hills
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METROPOLIS OF CHICAGO PHILOPTOCHOS
Calendar of Chapters’ Event
“Rejoice in the Season of Christmas”
2021
December
12/04 Saturday St. George Philoptochos Schererville, IN Philoptochos Holiday
Bazaar & Bake sale
12/04 Saturday Holy Trinity, Chicago, IL Christmas Celebration
12/04 Saturday St Demetrios, Libertyville, IL Philoptochos ZOOM ZUMBATHON
Fundraiser 10am (Church web site to register)
12/04 Saturday Annunciation, Milwaukee, WI Christmas Luncheon – Blue Mound
Country Club Wauwatosa, WI 11 am
12/04 Saturday Holy Trinity, Schiller Park, IL Philoptochos Winter Wonderland
Christmas Party 6 pm
12/12 Sunday METROPOLIS CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE
Carlisle Banquets- Lombard, IL 3-7 pm
12/18 Saturday St Nicholas Church Oaklawn, IL, Philoptochos Dial-A-Baklava
Pickup 10am-noon
12/18 Saturday Assumption, Homer Glen, IL Philoptochos Christmas Bake Sale
(Pick up 10am- 1pm)
2022
January
01/02 Sunday VASILOPITA CELEBRATION- CITY WIDE hosted at Holy Taxiarhai
& St. Haralambos Niles, IL 6pm
01/29 Saturday St Nicholas Church Oaklawn, IL, Philoptochos Cooking Class
& Luncheon 11 am
February
02/13 Sunday Holy Trinity, Chicago, IL Philoptochos Tea and Membership Drive
02/26 Friday St John the Baptist, Des Plaines, IL Art Fair
02/26 Friday St Andrew, Chicago, IL, GLENDI
02/26 Saturday Sts. Constantine & Helen, Palos Hills, IL Philoptochos Country
Western Pre-Lenten Glendi
March
April
04/29 Friday Sts. Constantine & Helen, Palos Hills, IL Philoptochos Hat,
Wine & Cheese Event
04/30 Saturday St Andrew, Chicago, IL, Metropolis-wide TRIVIA NIGHT
May
05/14 Saturday St John the Baptist, Des Plaines, IL Philoptochos Mad Hatter Luncheon
June
July
August
08/27-28 Sat.-Sun. St Andrew, Chicago, IL, Art Sale & Iconography Presentation
featuring Rip Kastaris
ALWAYS CHECK & CONFIRM with the live-in-person events for space limitations to attend due to possible COVID restrictions!!
** Bold items Are a METROPOLIS EVENTS AND SHOULD have all Chapters Attend/Support
Please Note: Every Chapter hosts Christmas & Easter Bake Sales, Parties, Palm Sunday Luncheons, Membership Drives and other usual internal events. Due to space limitation, this calendar is designed as a tool to notify chapters about Philoptochos citywide events, to encourage participation from our chap ters’ members, and as a vehicle for planning chapter events to assist in eliminating schedule conflicts whenever possible.
To place your Chapter’s events on the Calendar, please call or email: philomocc@gmail.com 219-789-4560 (Demetria Bakris)
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Grateful Appreciation to our President & Tri-Chairs Dena, Carol & Kathi.
Thank You to our Board and to all that attended, donated and sponsored.
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Early in October over 300 delegates, observers, and volunteers from all over the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago met in St. Louis, Missouri to participate in the Metropolis’ 2021 Clergy-Laity Assembly. |
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A Special Thank You To St. Louis Clergy-Laity Co-Chairs
Helen Carey & Carol Kamburis. Thanks Also To Christina Ginos,
St. Louis Philoptochos Chapter President.
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Philoptochos President Marilyn Tzakis and
September Luncheon Chairs presented a check for
$20,000 to The Iakovos Retreat Center.
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The Metropolis of Detroit Philoptochos hosted The National Philoptochos Children's Medical Fund Luncheon at the Indiana Roof Ballroom in Indianapolis. His Grace Bishop Athenagoras, His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas, National Philoptochos President Arlene Siavelis Kehl, Honoree Pam Argyris and Mike Emanuel all spoke about the good works accomplished with funds raised by the CMF. The Detroit Philoptochos was able to raise over $500,000 for children's hospitals and research programs in spite of the long pandemic. Congratulations to those programs that were awarded grants. |
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Apostolic and Patriarchal Visit
Notre Dame - South Bend, IN
His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew
presided over a doxology service at St. Andrews Greek Orthodox Church. He was welcomed by His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael, clergy from throughout the Metropolis, and many faithful. Following the doxology, His All-Holiness was honored at an academic convocation service at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart at the University of Notre Dame. The Patriarch received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the university for his efforts to promote religious freedom, human rights, and protection of the environment. His All-Holiness explained in his speech, that the care of creation is an ecumenical imperative which we must face together. He called upon faith leaders of all denominations to come together with leaders in the
scientific, academic, corporate, and cultural realms to meet
the global challenge of climate change.
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St. Nicholas Shrine at Ground Zero
New York, NY
The landmark opening of the St. Nicholas Shrine at Ground Zero by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew
on the 30th anniversary of his enthronement signals a historic renewal of our faith in the U.S. and globally.
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St. Luke - Columbia, MO
St. Luke Philoptochos of Columbia, MO welcomed back college students with a Welcome Back coffee hour on September 26. We pray that they all have a very blessed academic year!
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Walk the Walk for IOCC
St. Andrew - Chicago
Many joined the 15th Annual 5K Walk/Run
to make a difference for those in need around the world.
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St. Andrew’s Philoptochos sponsored the IOCC Breakfast held for their 15th annual walk. Thanks to Fotine Bloom and Patty Harrison for chairing the grab n go breakfast, which consisted of a variety of breakfast casseroles, fresh fruit, yogurt, granola bars & more. A special thank you to those who helped, Hellena Chrones, Gena Brelias, Jim Harrison, Katerina Harrison, Terri Mikuzis, Vonnie Karafotias and Kathy Siavelis who is on the Chicago IOCC Board & helped to coordinate the walkathon.
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St. Andrew - Chicago
Operation Classroom
Over the past few years Goudy School has been part of our Operation Classroom program. This year we presented them with a check for $500 which will let them purchase 30 costumes for their December school play. Thanks to Diane A. White (center)
for being our liaison for the school.
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St. Andrew’s Philoptochos also helped Englewood Montessori
elementary kids get ready for school. Our parish helped us donate 100 backpacks, which included pencils, pens, scissors, notebooks, folders, crayons, highlighters & erasers.
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Dress A Girl - St. Basil - Chicago
St. Basil Philoptochos hosted their annual
Metropolitan Dress A Girl Around the World Sew-A-Thon.
Thank you to Nichole Kourvas Drimonas, President, Dorothy Bezemes, Chairperson and to all who joined us in person!
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St. Demetrios - Chicago
St. Demetrios Philoptochos collected and distributed
food and coats and delivered to the 47th Ward.
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Feed My Starving Children Program
St. Demetrios Youth ministries, Hope-Joy, Jr and Senior GOYA joined forces with the Philoptochos. parents and grandparents to do their part in fighting hunger. We packed a total of 77 'Manna Packs', which are 10 oz. packages filled with rice. vegetables, soy and vitamin power, that when filled with water becomes a nutritious meal, Those 77 packages amounted to 16,200 meals that would feed 44 children for a year, Our packages will be shipped to Uganda, Africa, which, ironically, does have Orthodox communities. A heartfelt thanks to all who shared in this wonderful philanthropic cause, " For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me.
I was in prison, and you visited me.’
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Holy Trinity - Chicago
Holy Trinity visited the Greek American
Rehabilitation & Care Center
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Holy Trinity - Sioux City, IA
Holy Trinity’s Philoptochos Sponsored Fellowship Hour
for Breast Cancer Awareness
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St. Haralambos - Niles
Getting ready for our guests at our Bazaar and Bake Sale
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St. John the Baptist - Des Plaines
College Outreach Chairperson Kathy Pappas led us
in stuffing the Care Packages for our College Kids
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October Meeting
Wonderful to have so many ladies join us for our October Meeting. Great information and parea! Loukoumades
and other baked treats were served.
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Saints Cosmas and Damianos
Thank you to Kathy Pappas and her committee for decorating
the beautiful icon of Philoptochos’ patron saints.
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Greek American Rehabilitation and Care Centre
Thank you to our amazing Nursing Home team who shared joy with the residents. They made fresh fruit smoothies
and treats for the residents to enjoy.
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Thanksgiving
Thanks to all who donated full grocery bags for
Thanksgiving Feed Our Neighbors!
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St. George - Chicago
St. George Philoptochos held their
“Let’s Be Fancy!” Annual Fundraiser
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Ascension of Our Lord - Lincolnshire
Riverwoods Road in Lincolnshire was lined in purple for the Walk. Philoptochos members invited parishioners of the church to join them in "Walking the Rainbow: Ending Cancer, Stepping to a Cure." Funds raised will benefit the Ormylia Foundation and Panagia Philantropini Center, which provides breast and cervical cancer screening to underserved women in northern Greece.
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The Ascension of Our Lord chapter hosted its 2nd Annual Women's Retreat, "Compassion Without Distress" on October 2. Recognizing the challenges of caregiving for women, whether it is offering help to our aging parents, our children or our friends in need, we turn to God and one another for guidance. Speakers Presvytera Kerry Pappas, Presvytera Maggie Sas and Presvytera Stefanie Malamis offered insightful help on this critical topic. |
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Our Philoptochos welcomed our new incoming priest, Fr. Dimitri Kounavis. Dr. John Fotopoulos was the keynote speaker.
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"Fall in Love" Purse Fundraiser |
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The St. George Philoptochos Schererville Chapter launched
our first Kindness Counts Initiative, posting random acts
of kindness contributed by our community, young & old.
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St. Demetrios - Libertyville
“OPERATION CLASSROOM"
Philoptochos collected underwear, socks, personal care items, laundry detergent and non-perishable food items.
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All Saints - Joliet
Tami Anthos, the coordinator of the College Outreach Program for our local Philoptochos Chapter designed a college student contact information sheet. The families responded back to Tami and our Parish Priest, Father Chris Avramopoulos. Together they put together a beautiful mailing to send to our college students. The mailing included a wishing you blessings card, a letter from Father Chris, a student prayer card, and a gift card. Each card was personally addressed to each college student. An assortment of gift cards was purchased from Chipotle, Dunkin Donuts, Starbucks, and Subway. Tami researched each student's location and picked a location closest to them on campus. Thirteen packages were sent out and another care package
is being prepared to be sent our prior to finals.
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Holy Apostles - Westchester
Lunch at Tiffany’s The Ladies Philoptochos’
2021 Luncheon & Fashion Show
Over 600 ladies from around the Chicagoland area enjoyed lunch at the Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace. The excitement of shopping at the “Tiffany Store,” or sitting in the iconic Tiffany Blue ballroom, while watching “Audrey” and the models
strut an array of stunning fashions.
Co-chairs, Elaine Katzioris and Wanita Loupakos, and the entire committee showed how hard work, talent, and hours of fun can truly pay off. A big thank you to these 2 amazing women for their leadership in guiding the committee to the fruition of this successful event. It is this year’s committee’s labor of love that has resulted in many new, enduring friendships and a deep camaraderie amongst the members. Both Elaine and Wanita want to express, a sincere gratitude to their guests, sponsors, patrons, and donors for being a part of this unbelievable afternoon. Without your continued support and generosity, “Lunch at Tiffany’s” would not have been able to generate $75,000 profit, which was allocated to this year’s event’s primary beneficiaries: the IOCC’s Dream Centers for the Children in war torn Syria and to Dr. Kathy Albain and her wonderful staff at the Breast Cancer Program at the Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center at Loyola University Medical Center.
This year, several younger ladies became members of our chapter and initiated a new raffle, titled The Lux Raffle. With the afternoon’s success, The Greek American Rehabilitation & Care Centre will receive a $5,000 donation too. In addition, this astonishing amount will enable the ladies of the Holy Apostles Philoptochos to continue their many philanthropic endeavors throughout the upcoming year.
Tremendous work and coordination of talents come together every year when the chapter hosts their annual fashion show fundraiser. The ladies of Holy Apostles have great appreciation for philanthropy and their parish’s continual love and support enables them to continue Philoptochos’ mission of helping the needy and poor. The ladies would like to ask you all to mark your calendar for Saturday, October 22, 2022.
Let’s meet again at the Drury Lane for another afternoon of high fashion, philanthropy & fun!
Let the beautiful, Audrey Hepburn leave you with, “As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.”
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Sts. Constantine & Helen
Sts. Constantine & Helen Women’s Philoptochos held their “Greek Food Fest to-go” for the parish & community on November 12 & 14. Our menu of homemade Greek foods & sweets was sold out within a few hours thanks to all the
amazing and energetic generations of our chapter who
“rolled up their sleeves and put their masks on
to cook, bake, package, serve and sell!”
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A large group of members attended The September Luncheon |
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Feed The Hungry
Feed the Hungry continued to serve those in need under the direction of Co-Chairs Georgia Gavaris and Vonnie Karafotias
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Sts. Constantine & Helen Serving |
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Holy Taxiarhai & St. Haralambos Serving
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Holy Trinity - Schiller Park Serving |
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Chrysanthe Kondos Serving
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Holy Apostles - Westchester Serving |
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St. Demetrios - Elmhurst Serving |
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Assumption in Hegewisch Serving |
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Thanksgiving Feed The Hungry
Annunciation Cathedral & St. George Serving
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Ascension of Our Lord Serving |
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Men in Black
Cookbook $30
Apron $25
Christmas Combo (Cookbook & Apron) $50
To order, email:
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You can still stream the full video for only $40.
To order video streaming go to the link below and order a ticket for "Stream the Series".
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Here are some of the Clergy in the Kitchen
that cooked for you on the video.
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Metropolis Christmas Open House |
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Sunday, December 12th from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm at
The Carlisle Banquets
435 East Butterfield Rd.
Lombard, IL
Support the Metropolis Ministry HOPE by bringing an Amazon Gift Card to the
Open House. Cards will be used to purchase food for children in need.
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SAVE THE DATE
Metropolis Vasilopita
Celebration
January 2, 2022
6:00 pm at
Holy Taxiarhai & St. Haralambos
Niles IL
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Philoptochos Perspective
This fall issue is filled to overflowing!
Many thanks to the chapters who have sent in submissions to the Perspective. Each edition highlights the vastness, variety and dedication of our Metropolis Philoptochos chapters, members and activities. Remember, our Perspective is a valuable resource for our chapters.
Our Perspective highlights and documents our history.
Our Perspective shares new creative ideas.
Our Perspective proudly displays
our Chapter and Metropolis successes.
To help Philoptochos get the word out about our good works, please share the Perspective with those that are not members of Philoptochos. If every member shared the Perspective with someone who is not a Philoptochos member, we could reach & impress 3,000 new people each time we have a new edition.
THE NEXT ISSUE WILL BE SPRING OF NEXT YEAR!
For the next issue, please submit photos of your Chapter Christmas Party. We want to see everyone’s smiling faces.
As always please submit photos of your January & February Chapter events and meetings. Our Metropolis Philoptochos Newsletter loves to brag about all that you are doing, and all the creative, thoughtful ways you are helping.
Please email photos and information about your event to the Perspective. Select someone to be photographer at your meetings and events then submit your Chapter events as close to the time of the event to insure it is included in the Perspective.
Send submissions shortly after the event to email address below.
Include a brief description of the event including following info:
Chapter and Church name
Name of Event and Chairperson(s)
Photos are an important addition to the Perspective.
Photos of small groups of 3 to 5 people work best in the page layout. The higher the resolution of the photos, the better they will appear. It is best to email photos rather than text.
The Perspective is now being emailed directly to you from the Metropolis. I have heard from many that you are not receiving the Perspective this year. There are a few reasons that might happen. Make sure your email is included in our email mailing list. Contact Juliana Arsoniadis at:
Lastly, you might check your SPAM folder to see
if your email is filtering out the Perspective.
Continue to send your Perspective submissions to:
It is important to share the good works of Philoptochos!
And always share your Smile.
Marilynn Jemas, Editor
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