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Annunciation Cathedral Philoptochos

A Legacy of Philanthropy — One Woman Asking Another to Care

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
Saturday of Souls
Saturday, June 3 – 8:00 AM

Orthros and Divine Liturgy
Sunday School Begins immediately after Holy Communion
Sunday, June 4 – 8:15 AM

Orthros and Divine Liturgy
Sunday School Begins immediately after Holy Communion
Sunday, June 11 – 8:15 AM

Orthros and Divine Liturgy
Sunday School Begins immediately after Holy Communion
Sunday, June 18 – 8:15 AM

Orthros and Divine Liturgy
Sunday School Begins immediately after Holy Communion
Sunday, June 25 – 8:15 AM

Office closed
Monday, May 29 – 12:00 AM

YAL Chicago
St. Emmelia Vesperal Liturgy & Panigiri
Tuesday, May 30 – 12:00 AM

Feed the Hungry
Annunciation
Tuesday, May 30 – 11:30 AM

Adult Intermediate Greek
Tuesday, May 30 – 5:30 PM

Adult Beginner Greek
Tuesday, May 30 – 6:45 PM

Adult Advanced Greek
Thursday, June 1 – 5:30 PM

Holy Pentecost
Saints, Feasts, and Readings for 5/27/2018
Saints and Feasts: The Holy Hieromartyr Helladius, John the Russian of Evia, Theodora the Virgin-martyr & Didymos the Martyr, Venerable Bede
Epistle Reading: Acts of the Apostles 2:1-11
WHEN THE DAY of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly a sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire, distributed and resting on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. And they were amazed and wondered, saying, "Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontos and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians, we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God."
Gospel Reading: John 7:37-52; 8:12
On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and proclaimed, "If any one thirst, let him come to me and drink. He who believes in me, as the scripture has said, 'Out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water.'" Now this he said about the Spirit, which those who believed in him were to receive; for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

When they heard these words, some of the people said, "This is really the prophet." Others said, "This is the Christ." But some said, "Is the Christ to come from Galilee? Has not the scripture said that the Christ is descended from David, and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David was?" So there was a division among the people over him. Some of them wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him.

The officers then went back to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, "Why did you not bring him?" The officers answered, "No man ever spoke like this man!" The Pharisees answered them, "Are you led astray, you also? Have any of the authorities or of the Pharisees believed in him? But this crowd, who do not know the law, are accursed." Nikodemos, who had gone to him before, and who was one of them, said to them, "Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?" They replied, "Are you from Galilee too? Search and you will see that no prophet is to rise from Galilee." Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
Sunday, June 4 – 12:00 AM

Graduate Sunday
Sunday, June 4 – 11:30 AM

Final Day of Sunday School
Sunday, June 4 – 11:30 AM

Feed the Hungry
Annunciation
Tuesday, June 6 – 11:30 AM

Adult Intermediate Greek
Tuesday, June 6 – 5:30 PM

Adult Beginner Greek
Tuesday, June 6 – 6:45 PM

Adult Advanced Greek (in-person)
Thursday, June 8 – 5:30 PM

Brunching Orthodox Women
Saturday, June 10 – 11:30 AM

Feast of His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael
Sunday, June 11 – 12:00 AM

Feed the Hungry
Annunciation
Tuesday, June 13 – 11:30 AM

Adult Intermediate Greek (in-person)
Tuesday, June 13 – 5:30 PM

Adult Beginner Greek (in-person)
Tuesday, June 13 – 6:45 PM

Adult Advanced Greek
Thursday, June 15 – 5:30 PM

Feed the Hungry
Annunciation
Tuesday, June 20 – 11:30 AM

Adult Intermediate Greek
Tuesday, June 20 – 5:30 PM

Adult Beginner Greek
Tuesday, June 20 – 6:45 PM

Adult Advanced Greek
Thursday, June 22 – 5:30 PM

Feed the Hungry
Annunciation
Tuesday, June 27 – 11:30 AM

Adult Intermediate Greek
Tuesday, June 27 – 5:30 PM

Adult Beginner Greek
Tuesday, June 27 – 6:45 PM