Ladies Philoptochos Society /
BAHA Chapter
By: Josephine
Michael Tsarnas, President
“But I say to you who hear:
Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless
those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you.
To him who strikes you on the
one cheek, offer the
other also.”
Luke 5:38-48
Why are Saints
Cosmas and Damian Philoptochos’ patron saints?
The remarkable twin brothers were physicians and early
Christian martyrs born in Cilicia, part of today’s Turkey. They
practiced their profession in the seaport of Aegea accepting no
payment for their services which led to them being named
Unmercenary; it is
said that, by this, they attracted many to the Christian faith.
They were brothers who healed purely out of love for God
and man, strictly observing the command of Jesus.
Surely, these
Saints have been the inspiration to a small group of remarkable,
dedicated women who united to become what is known as the
“Philanthropic arm of the church”.
We are wives, mothers, daughters and in many cases work
side by side with our husbands to establish their new business
ventures. Today, the
original group has been inherited by their daughters and
granddaughters and other generation of newcomers.
Our church is a place of worship but also a social,
emotional and cultural anchor.
We are actively
seeking sisters to get involved and participate in our
committees:
*Helping Hands
Committee:
extends themselves by giving rides to those in need in
our community when they need to get to church, the lab for blood
tests, doctor’s offices and/or supermarket.
In addition, change bandages or medical care after a
surgery. Also,
prepare a meal for parishioners unable to provide for
themselves.
*Senior Citizens
Home Committee:
visits nursing homes, hospitals as well as various homeless
shelters, visitation to prisons and helps bring the people back
into the church.
*Drive Committee:
coordinates food drives, coat drives, toy drives, blanket/sheet
drives for various shelters.
*Children Stories for Cancer Committee:
read stories to children with cancer at
Sloan-Kettering in New York and/or various hospitals.
*Knit and Crochet Committee:
knits hats, blankets and other items to be donated to
various philanthropic groups for children with cancer.
*Hospitality Committee:
oversees Philoptochos coffee hour and meeting preparations.
*Seminar Committee:
arranges
health seminars/lectures throughout the year for Kimisis.
*Fashion Show Committee:
coordinate
the annual Fashion Show.
*College Connection Committee:
provides our college bound youth the
opportunity to maintain a connection with their church and
community, while they are living on campus.
It also enables them to acclimate to their Kimisis
community easily when they return from college.
*The Welcoming Committee:
welcomes’ members as they come into
Church Narthex during Church Services and sends welcome notes to
new families.
*Social Services Committee:
help families in our community with
hardship and/or medical crisis.
Contact in Confidence: Philoptochos President at : JMTsarnas@gmail.com
*The Reading Group:
read books
of Orthodox faith, Hellenism and/or Ancient/Modern Greek and get
together to discuss.