The name Philoptochos literally means "friend of the poor".
For almost 60 years, the St. Nicholas Ladies Philoptochos Society of Portsmouth has served the church and greater seacoast community by exemplifying our faith through action and fellowship.
Caring for our church by funding capital improvements—like the Jarvis Hall and Kitchen renovations, the Narthex restoration, and multiple building and infrastructure repairs.
Aiding local families in need during times of hardship and crisis such as donations of clothing and essentials to the residents of Crossroads, Operation Blessing, and Seacoast Family Promise. We also support national and international victims of hurricanes, fires, famines and war conflicts with donations to organizations including the IOCC (International Orthodox Christian Charities).
Feeding the community by supporting food banks like Gather and the Salvation Army.
Supporting others through donations to St. Basil’s Academy, Metropolis of Boston Camp, and Philoxenia House, a temporary home-away-from-home for families seeking medical care in Boston. We also strive to make the Greater Seacoast a safer place to live by supporting Haven, the largest violence prevention and support services agency in NH.
Through countless fundraisers—the annual Book & Pastry Sale; Holiday Sales of Vasilopita, Tsourekia (Greek New Year’s & Easter breads), Poinsettias and Easter Lilies; and a Parish Cookbook highlighting traditional family recipes, to name just a few—the Philoptochos is committed to our mission of supporting the needs within our immediate parish families and the greater community at large.
With continuing community support, the St. Nicholas Philoptochos will carry on our work to help others with care and compassion.
OUR MISSION
The Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society is the duly accredited national women’s philanthropic society of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. The mission of the Society is:
- To help the poor, the destitute, the hungry, the aged, the sick, the unemployed, the orphaned, the imprisoned, the widowed, the handicapped, the victims of disasters, to undertake the burial of impoverished persons and to offer assistance to anyone who may need the help of the Church through fund raising efforts; and
- To promote the charitable, benevolent, and philanthropic purposes of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, through instructional programs, presentations, lectures, seminars and other educational resources;
- To preserve and perpetuate Orthodox Christian concepts and the Orthodox Christian Family, and through them, to promote the Greek Orthodox Faith and traditions, in accordance with its doctrines, canons, discipline, divine worship, usages and customs;
- To promote participation in the activities of the Greek Orthodox community, with the cooperation of the Parish Priest and the Parish Council.
The charitable work of the Society shall be performed with discretion, courtesy and kindness.
For more about our history read details here or learn more about the national organization.
CONTACT
St. Nicholas Church
40 Andrew Jarvis Drive
Portsmouth, NH 03801
philoptochosportsnh@gmail.com
BOARD MEMBERS 2023-2025
Reverend Father Dr. Dimitrios Moraitis
Protopresbyter Spiritual Adviser
OFFICERS
President:
Janice Kanteres
jkanteres@gmail.com
Vice-President:
Marilyn Zotos
Treasurer:
Archie Donis
Assistant Treasurer:
Kiki Wahl
Corresponding Secretary:
Kristina Goumas
Recording Secretary:
Margaret Naumes
Advisor:
Hilde G. Kamakas
Sunshine:
Kathy Lalos
Board Members:
Fran Damianos
Sophia Dennis
Laura Nicholas
Ruth Riley
Maria Tsougranis
Kathleen Van Cantfort
Deb Walker