Wednesday of the 3rd Week
Wednesday, October 08, 2025
Strict Fast
Visit the Online Chapel for more daily readings, hymns, a monthly calendar of saints and feasts, and more.

Our Faith • Worship

O Come, let us Worship and bow down before our King and God. O Come, let us worship and bow down before Christ, our King and God. O Come, let us worship and bow down to Christ Himself, our King and God. Learn more»

Annunciation Cathedral Philoptochos

A Legacy of Philanthropy — One Woman Asking Another to Care

2025 Officers

Polyxeni Kapsalis - President
Lena Milissis - Vice President
Eve Christie - Corresponding Secretary
Cathryn Lee-Alexander - Recording Secretary
Evi Hatzopoulos - Treasurer
Milteva Khurna - Assistant Treasurer
Athena Lakerdas - Advisor
Joanne Stavrakas - Advisor

A Brief History Of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral Women's Philoptochos Society

The idea of a Philoptochos as a necessary organization of the Greek Orthodox Church structure was initiated by Archbishop Athenagoras in 1931. The Annunciation Cathedral Women's Philoptochos Society of Chicago was founded in 1939 when Archbishop Athenagoras requested the existing "Mothers Benevolent Society" became a "Philoptochos." The women accepted the suggestion and elected Mrs. Phyllis Batsakis Deliannis, President of the Mothers' group, to be President of the newly organized Philoptochos.

Over the years our Philoptochos has played a significant role in the welfare of our beloved Annunciation Cathedral, and has made many contributions to the community and across the world. During the early 1940's our Philoptochos — through various fund raising events — helped our Cathedral pay off the mortgage, preventing foreclosure and ensuring our future (as well as leading the redecoration of the Cathedral).

Projects abroad and home

  • During World War II our ladies raised funds for the American Red Cross.
  • Volunteered at the Salvation Army Soup Kitchen.
  • Provided aid to the Battered and Homeless Women of Chicago.
  • Served Greek meals to hospitalized veterans.
  • Participated in the Feed the Hungry Program.
  • Committed to the building of the Greek American Nursing Home.
  • Established several annual events such as the Champagne Lunch and Makaronada Luncheon.
  • Baked desserts and other items for the Cathedral Food Festival and hosted various other Cathedral religious events.
  • Purchased kitchen equipment for the Cathedral and settings for 200 consisting of dishes, glasses, flatware and cabinetry.

Currently

  • We continue to support National and International programs through our National House of Philanthropy as well as many of the programs listed above (and many others).
  • We have sent Funds for Disaster Relief to Greece and the areas of the US affected by natural disasters.
  • We have established our own Children's Fund benefiting children in the Chicago area who are in crisis.
  • And our work goes on! So much to do!

We thank you for your generous support!

Orthros and Divine Liturgy
Sunday School Begins immediately after Holy Communion
Sun, Oct 12 – 8:15 am

Orthros and Divine Liturgy
+St. Luke the Evangelist
Sat, Oct 18 – 8:30 am

Orthros and Divine Liturgy
Sunday School Begins immediately after Holy Communion
Sun, Oct 19 – 8:15 am

Orthros and Divine Liturgy
+St. Gerasimos of Cephalonia
+St. Artemios
Mon, Oct 20 – 9:00 am

Great Vespers
Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church 2727 W Winona St, Chicago, IL 60625, United States
Sat, Oct 25 – 7:00 pm

Orthros and Divine Liturgy
Sunday School Begins immediately after Holy Communion
Sun, Oct 26 – 8:15 am

Orthros and Divine Liturgy
+ Protection of the Theotokos
Tue, Oct 28 – 8:45 am

Orthros and Divine Liturgy
The Feast of St. Kosmas and Damien
Sat, Nov 1 – 8:30 am

Orthros and Divine Liturgy
Sunday School Begins immediately after Holy Communion
Sun, Nov 2 – 8:15 am

Great Vespers of Holy Taxiarhes
Holy Taxiarhai and Saint Haralambos Greek Orthodox Church, 7373 N Caldwell Ave, Niles, IL 60714, USA
Fri, Nov 7 – 7:00 pm

Adult Greek - advanced
Thu, Oct 9 – 5:30 pm

Adult Greek - intermediate II
Thu, Oct 9 – 6:45 pm

Catechism Class
Mon, Oct 13 – 6:00 pm

Feed the Hungry
Annunciation
Tue, Oct 14 – 11:30 am

Adult Greek - intermediate I
Tue, Oct 14 – 5:30 pm

Tween/Teen Greek
Tue, Oct 14 – 5:30 pm

Adult Greek - beginner
Tue, Oct 14 – 6:45 pm

Philoptochos meeting
Tue, Oct 14 – 7:00 pm

Adult Greek - advanced
Thu, Oct 16 – 5:30 pm

Adult Greek - intermediate II
Thu, Oct 16 – 6:45 pm

Catechism Class
Mon, Oct 20 – 5:00 pm

Children Greek
Mon, Oct 20 – 5:30 pm

Annual Fall Raffle Dinner
Psistaria Greek Taverna 4711 W Touhy Ave, Lincolnwood, IL 60712, United States
Mon, Oct 20 – 7:00 pm

Feed the Hungry
Annunciation
Tue, Oct 21 – 11:30 am

Adult Greek - intermediate I
Tue, Oct 21 – 5:30 pm

Tween/Teen Greek
Tue, Oct 21 – 5:30 pm

Adult Greek - beginner
Tue, Oct 21 – 6:45 pm

Adult Greek - advanced
Thu, Oct 23 – 5:30 pm

Adult Greek - intermediate II
Thu, Oct 23 – 6:45 pm

Catechism Class
Mon, Oct 27 – 5:00 pm

Children Greek
Mon, Oct 27 – 5:30 pm

Feed the Hungry
Annunciation
Tue, Oct 28 – 11:30 am

Adult Greek - intermediate I
Tue, Oct 28 – 5:30 pm

Tween/Teen Greek
Tue, Oct 28 – 5:30 pm

Adult Greek - beginner
Tue, Oct 28 – 6:45 pm

Adult Greek - advanced
Thu, Oct 30 – 5:30 pm

Adult Greek - intermediate II
Thu, Oct 30 – 6:45 pm

Pastichio Luncheon and Artoklasia
Sun, Nov 2 – 12:00 am

Catechism Class
Mon, Nov 3 – 5:00 pm

Children Greek
Mon, Nov 3 – 5:30 pm

Feed the Hungry (to come back inside)
Tue, Nov 4 – 11:30 am

Adult Greek - intermediate I
Tue, Nov 4 – 5:30 pm

Tween/Teen Greek
Tue, Nov 4 – 5:30 pm

Adult Greek - beginner
Tue, Nov 4 – 6:45 pm

Adult Greek - advanced
Thu, Nov 6 – 5:30 pm

Adult Greek - intermediate II
Thu, Nov 6 – 6:45 pm