DEPARTMENT OF PHILANTHROPY

10 E. 79th Street, New York, NY 10075-0106
Tel: (212) 774-0283 • Fax: (212) 774-0495
Web: www.philanthropy.goarch.org


His Grace Bishop Andonios of Phasiane, Director
Email: bishopandonios@goarch.org

Ely W. Papadeas, Administrative Assistant
Email: epapadeas@goarch.org

The task of this Archdiocesan Department is to further develop and coordinate the philanthropic work of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Working closely with various community organizations, most especially the Ladies Philoptochos Society, this Department coordinates on a national level the philanthropic work of the Church. Responding to the apostolic exhortations that “our love may abound more and more, with deep knowledge and discernment” (Philippians 1:9) and that “faith without works is dead” (James 2:26), this office seeks to motivate all communicants, men and women, young and old, to be more philanthropic in their outlook. Contrary to the modern definition, which has reduced philanthropy to financial contributions, the Department of Philanthropy is not concerned with “fund-raising” but rather with promoting philanthropy in its original and purest expression i. e., “love for one’s fellow man”, love expressed in thought, word, and deed, cognizant of the fact that God is love.

This office also strives to heighten sensitivity within parishes, Church-affiliated organizations, and the faithful of the Archdiocese so that they will be aware of people with special needs and will reach out and embrace them. These include people who are blind, physically handicapped, mentally challenged, afflicted with debilitating diseases, elderly facing problems because of their advanced age, those in prison, those suffering from terminal illnesses, and countless others. It is the intent of the office to coordinate outreach to these individuals and establish ministries to them thus facilitating as much as possible their participation in the salvific life of the Church.

Another task of the office is to monitor closely the developments on the federal, as well as the state and city levels, regarding faith-based funding of charitable programs, and to determine if and how the Archdiocese can participate in governmentally funded programs.

In the year ahead, the Department with the assistance of IOCC, will be promoting a ‘National Emergency Planning and Preparedness Program’ to better prepare the Archdiocese, the Metropolises, the parishes and most especially the faithful for disasters. The events of September 2001 and above all, the tremendous devastation of Hurricane Katrina clearly made evident our unpreparedness to deal with the various crises associated with these disasters.

Bishop Andonios and IOCC Director and CEO Constantine Triantafilou during a summer visit to Ethiopia where the IOCC has built a new clinic.

The annual Chrysanthemum Ball of the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity has for the last 50 years ensured the distribution of thousands of dollars to local, national and international philanthropies. This year’s honorees were Dr. and Mrs. James Nicholas, shown with Bishop Andonios of Phasiane, Father and Mrs. Robert Stephanopoulos, Cathedral Dean; Ambassador of Greece and Mrs. George Savvaides, Consul General of Greece and Mrs. Dimitris Platis, Consul General of Cyprus and Mrs. Vaseleios Philippou, National Philoptochos President Georgia Skeadas, Cathedral Philoptochos President Mary Christy and members of the Board and committee.