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Contact: Nikki Stephanopoulos Tel: (212) 570-3530 Fax: (212) 774-0215
Georgia Skeadas Reappointed President of National Philoptochos Society
New York, NY - His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in America, has announced the reappointment of Mrs. Georgia Skeadas for a third term as President of the National Board of the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society which is comprised of over 475 chapters in the United States, and approximately 28,000 members.
In making the announcement, His Eminence noted, "I deemed it imperative for the continued growth and progress of the Philoptochos Society, this vital Institution of our Archdiocese, to reappoint Mrs. Skeadas for another term so that she be enabled, along with the dedicated members of the National Board, to fulfill the work which they began when Mrs. Skeadas was first appointed in 2002. It has been under the dynamic and charismatic leadership of Mrs. Skeadas, that Philoptochos has moved in significant ever-increasing philanthropic activities. It is my hope that the next two years will witness Philoptochos rising to new heights and accomplishing even greater goals."?
In accepting the reappointment, Mrs. Skeadas acknowledged, â??it is with abiding gratitude and a sense of awe that I accept this invitation to serve yet another term. I will do my utmost to fulfill the great expectations of His Eminence as well as the dedicated women of Philoptochos who comprise the exemplary philanthropic arm of our Greek Orthodox Archdiocese. During the past four years, we have made tremendous strides in expanding the outreach of the Society and the next two years we will work to enhance and strengthen that outreach.â??
During its 2006 Convention this past July in Nashville (TN), Philoptochos celebrated its 75th Anniversary, marking the monumental accomplishment of the late Archbishop Athenagoras who in 1931 united all of the individual chapters into one national society. This summer over 350 women from all parts of the Archdiocese gathered not only to discuss the work of the organization but also to participate in a multitude of workshops and seminars that provided them with the tools to better accomplish their sacred mission.
Most importantly, throughout the convention, the women were afforded the opportunity to grow in their faith by spiritual reflections provided by select clergymen of the Archdiocese. It was also announced during this gathering that in the past 4 years, National Philoptochos had distributed an unprecedented amount of over $5,200,000 in financial assistance alone to its various charitable commitments and other worthy causes. Philoptochos is composed of women from all walks of life, homemakers and professionals, women from the urban centers and from the rural heartlands of America, women old and young, all bringing to the Society their individual time, talents and treasures to promote the philanthropic work of the Greek Orthodox Church of America.
Mrs. Skeadas has distinguished herself as a visionary and eloquent president, delivering the Christ-centered message of Philoptochos to the countless chapters and parishes she has visited during her tenure. As noted by the Archbishop in his reappointment letter, â??Since its inception, but especially during your presidency, the Philoptochos has ministered with love and compassion, constantly inspiring those around them by the multitude of good works performed in the name of philanthropy.â??
Born and raised in Hartford, Conn., Mrs. Skeadas is a graduate of St. Joseph College in West Hartford. She has served on the National Board since 1998, on the Archdiocesan Executive Council 2000-2002 and has served as a member of the Metropolis Boards of Denver and New Jersey, and Philoptochos chapters in Hartford, CT., Belmont, CA., Denver, CO, and her current parish of St. Luke in Broomall, PA. Together with her husband, Christos Skeadas, she co-chaired the 35th Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress held in Philadelphia in 2000. They are parents of a son, Peter, who recently graduated from George Washington University in Washington, DC and a daughter, Mariana, a student at the same university.