In 1931, the late Patriarch Athenagoras I, serving as Archbishop of North and South America, established the Philoptochos Society. The Society was named the official philanthropic organization for our Church in the Western Hemisphere and Sts. Kosmas and Damian were selected as their patron saints. Sts. Kosmas and Damian were brothers who lived in the early years of the Church. They dedicated their lives to providing medical services to people and as they would not accept payment, they were named the "Unmercenaries."
Philoptochos is the largest women's Christian Philanthropic Organization in America. The name Philoptochos literally means "friend of the poor." Philoptochos has now completed 70 years of providing a ministry that serves the philanthropic, humanitarian, and Christian mission of our Church. For more information visit www.philoptochos.org on the internet.
Known as "the right hand" of the Church, we are dedicated to serving the Annunciation Community as well as the Greater Sacramento area. Every woman of the Greek Orthodox faith, 18 years of age and older, should regard membership both as a duty and a privilege. Non-Orthodox women married to an Orthodox are welcome to join as Associate Members.
Philoptochos fundraising activities are for the purpose of supporting local and national charities or for providing assistance to parish projects.
Charities supported by Annunciation Philoptochos include:
NATIONAL - Social Services, Cardiac Fund, St. Photios Shrine, Hellenic College/Holy Cross, Cancer Fund, Archdiocese Missions Program, UNICEF, St. Basil Academy, Sisterhood of St. Basil Academy, IOCC, Support a Mission Priest, Ecumenical Patriarchate, Presvytera's Benevolent Fund, Project Mexico.
DIOCESE - Student Aid Endowment Fund, Kids 'N' Cancer, Emergency Relief Fund, Pennies and Prayers, Philoptochos Library Fund.
LOCAL - Sacramento Children's Receiving Home, Trinity Foster Care, Mustard Seed School, WIND Youth Center, Wellspring Women's Center, WEAVE, American Red Cross, Bishop Gallegos Maternity Home, Sacramento Food Bank, Salvation Army, Loaves & Fishes.
ANNUNCIATION PHILOPTOCHOS SOCIETY
2009 - 2010 EXECUTIVE BOARD
President: Elaine Wright-- joelainewright@hotmail.com
Vice President: Maria Lafayette--maria.lafayette@cbnorcal.com
2nd Vice President: Chris Dariotis--cdariotis@golyon.com
Recording Secretary: Terri Terzakis--tterzakis@sbcglobal.net
Corresponding Secretary: Donna Wagner--dwagner@surewest.net
Treasurer: Despina Demas--despinademas@msn.com
Asst. Treasurer: Soula Fotopoulos--sfotopoulos@yahoo.com
Advisor: Helen Grammatikakis--helen.grammatikaki@att.net
Spiritual Advisor: Father James Retelas--frjames@annunciationsac.org
Spiritual Advisor: Father Timothy Robinson--frtimothy@annunciationsac.org
Philoptochos Services
Health and Welfare: Mary Lydon
Dial-a-Baklava: Helen Grammatikakis and Terre Terzakis
Coffee Hour: Faye Vallas
Membership: Maria Lafayette
General Information: Elaine Wright