Our Philoptochos

Our Chapter 1082 was founded in 1961 at St. Luke Greek Orthodox Church in Broomall, PA as a local chapter of The Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society, Inc. This organization is the philanthropic arm of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America that has offered 90 years of philanthropy through a multitude of programs that make a difference in the lives of people in the United States and throughout the world. The Society was established in November 1931, by the late Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras I, who was then serving as Archbishop of North and South America.

Our Patron Saints

The patron Saints of the National Philoptochos Society are Saints Cosmas and Damianos. During the 4^th century, Cosmas and Damianos were physician brothers who became known as the Holy “Unmercenaries.” Their fame spread throughout the Empire as they invariably assisted the poor and the afflicted without the desire for any compensation. Because of the similar Christian dedication to the poor and the destitute, the Philoptochos Society chose to celebrate the founding of their organization with the feast day of these saints, which is November 1. The word philoptochos is the compound Greek word, “philos” and “ptochos” which mean “friend of the poor.”

Our Mission

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

To help 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; and
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; and
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 performed with discretion, courtesy and kindness.

View Our Charities

2023-2025 Executive Officers


Lisa Palmieri President	Carnation Karros 1st Vice President	Katherine Kennedy 2nd Vice President

Christine Turner Recording Secretary	Nikki Serafim Corresponding Secretary	Olympia Corbino Treasurer

Sue Clark Assistant Treasurer	Alexandra Polites Perrot Advisor to the Board

Board of Directors

Alexa Angelakos, Maria Carafides, Sue Clark, Olympia Corbino, Angelique Messari Demetris, Stacy Floratos, Dee Karras, Carnation Karros, Chris Katsanos, Katherine Kennedy, Alexis Limberakis, Toula Nikolos, Lisa Palmieri, Alexandra Perrot, Deme Peters, Diane Sioutis, Stella Stefanidis, Nikki Serafim, Niki Tsetsekos, Christine Turner, Alexandra Vamvakidou