Wednesday of the 6th Week
Wednesday, October 29, 2025
Strict Fast
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Our Faith • The Church

The life of the Orthodox Church perpetuates and fulfills the ministry of Jesus Christ. The close association between Christ and His Church is reflected in the images from the Scriptures which declare that Christ is the Head and the Church is His Body, and that Christ is the Bridegroom and the Church is His bride. 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
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

Orthros and Hierarchical Divine Liturgy
Holy Taxiarhai and Saint Haralambos Greek Orthodox Church, 7373 N Caldwell Ave, Niles, IL 60714, USA
Sat, Nov 8 – 8:30 am

Great Vespers of St. Nectarios
St. Nectarios Church, 133 S Roselle Rd, Palatine, IL 60067, USA
Sat, Nov 8 – 7:00 pm

Orthros and Divine Liturgy
Sunday School Begins immediately after Holy Communion
Sun, Nov 9 – 8:15 am

Orthros and Divine Liturgy
Sunday School Begins immediately after Holy Communion
Sun, Nov 16 – 8:15 am

Orthros and Divine Liturgy
The Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple
Fri, Nov 21 – 8:30 am

Orthros and Divine Liturgy
Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral 1017 N La Salle Blvd, Chicago, IL 60610, United States
Feast of St. Iakovos Tsalikis of Evia
Sat, Nov 22 – 8:30 am

Orthros and Divine Liturgy
Sunday School Begins immediately after Holy Communion
Sun, Nov 23 – 8:15 am

Great Vespers of St. Katherine
Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, 601 S Central Ave, Chicago, IL 60644, USA
Mon, Nov 24 – 7:00 pm

Orthros & Hierarchical Divine Liturgy
Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, 601 S Central Ave, Chicago, IL 60644, USA
+Feast of St. Katherine
Tue, Nov 25 – 8:30 am

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 – 11:30 am

Children Greek
Mon, Nov 3 – 5:30 pm

Catechism Class
Mon, Nov 3 – 6:00 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

Stewardship Appreciation Luncheon
Sun, Nov 9 – 12:00 am

Children Greek
Mon, Nov 10 – 5:30 pm

Catechism Class
Mon, Nov 10 – 6:00 pm

Feed the Hungry
Annunciation
Tue, Nov 11 – 11:30 am

Adult Greek - intermediate I
Tue, Nov 11 – 5:30 pm

Tween/Teen Greek
Tue, Nov 11 – 5:30 pm

Adult Greek - beginner
Tue, Nov 11 – 6:45 pm

Philoptochos meeting
Tue, Nov 11 – 7:00 pm

Adult Greek - advanced
Thu, Nov 13 – 5:30 pm

Adult Greek - intermediate II
Thu, Nov 13 – 6:45 pm

Project Hope - Metropolis Event
Fri, Nov 14 – 10:00 am

CAWC event
Sat, Nov 15 – 10:00 am

Children Greek
Mon, Nov 17 – 5:30 pm

Catechism Class
Mon, Nov 17 – 6:00 pm

Feed the Hungry
Annunciation
Tue, Nov 18 – 11:30 am

Adult Greek - intermediate I
Tue, Nov 18 – 5:30 pm

Tween/Teen Greek
Tue, Nov 18 – 5:30 pm

Adult Greek - beginner
Tue, Nov 18 – 6:45 pm

Adult Greek - advanced
Thu, Nov 20 – 5:30 pm

Adult Greek - intermediate II
Thu, Nov 20 – 6:45 pm

Catechism Class
Mon, Nov 24 – 6:00 pm

Feed the Hungry
Annunciation
Tue, Nov 25 – 11:30 am

The Cathedral office is Closed
Thu, Nov 27 – 12:00 am

Feed the Hungry-Metropolis
Thu, Nov 27 – 11:30 am