We proudly honor the Eleventh National Philoptochos President, Aphrodite Skeadas, and thank her for her service and reflect on her tenure as National President, for three terms, from 2008 through 2014, on the appointment and the charge of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America.
President Skeadas’ clear vision for Philoptochos was one of growth for membership, social services, national charities, and ecumenical outreach. Inspired by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Aphrodite Skeadas initiated Philoptochos involvement in conservation practices through the creation of the Environment Responsibility Committee. She spearheaded strategic planning and major fundraising to include economic assistance to our Hellenic homelands, Greece and Cyprus…
We proudly honor the Tenth National Philoptochos President, Georgia Skeadas, and thank her for her service and reflect on her tenure as National President from 2002 through 2008.
Georgia Skeadas served under the spiritual leadership of Archbishop Demetrios and among the highlights of her tenure were the meetings with His Eminence. She traveled throughout the country to visit each Metropolis and many Chapters and was honored to participate in the historic visit of His All Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew to the United States and to New Orleans following the devastating Katrina Hurricane. Throughout her presidency, she had the wonderful support of her husband Chris Skeadas and their children.
Georgia’s tenure is marked with great enhancements organizationally, in Public Relations, National programs, Outreach and Response to major disasters. A major highlight was the first National Philoptochos Pilgrimage to the Ecumenical Patriarchate raising awareness and reinforcing our commitment to this important ministry.
We proudly honor the Ninth National Philoptochos President, Mrs. Evanthea Condakes. The following reflects on her tenure as National President from 1998 through 2002.
Mrs. Condakes served as National Philoptochos President under Archbishop Spyridon and Archbishop Demetrios bringing her business acumen to the presidency as well as the years of philanthropic service she and her late, beloved husband, Leo Condakes, offered the Church. During her tenure national membership increased, Philoptochos raised enough funds to have a surplus at term’s end and raised awareness of the Philoptochos good works through the establishment of the Voice of Philoptochos page in the Orthodox Observer and the Voice of Philoptochos video.
We proudly honor the Eighth National Philoptochos President, Mrs. Mimi Skandalakis. The following reflects on her tenure as National President from 1994 through 1998.
Mrs. Skandalakis was appointed as National Philoptochos President by Archbishop Iakovos of blessed memory in 1994 and was honored to lead this important philanthropic organization of the Church which she and her late, beloved husband, Dr. John Skandalakis served all their lives. Her goal was to expand the service offered by Philoptochos and to ensure inclusion so that everyone became engaged in the organization.
Mimi traveled often on early morning flights from Atlanta to the National Philoptochos Office in New York City to oversee the multiple presidential responsibilities and traveled throughout the country visiting each Diocese and many Chapters.
We proudly honor the Seventh National Philoptochos President, Mrs. Dina Skouras Oldknow. The following reflects on her tenure as National President from 1990 through 1994.
Mrs. Oldknow was appointed to the National Board of Philoptochos in 1977, though she was philanthropically and civically involved in Los Angeles from the age of twenty-two.
While attending the National Convention held in Washington, D.C. in 1990, Archbishop Iakovos whispered to her “I’d like to talk to you about something”. She was nervous and thought she had done something wrong. It was there that he asked her to serve as the Philoptochos National President. The Archbishop told her with a smile on his face “I asked your husband first”. She was moved and extremely humbled to accept the office of National President.
Mrs. Dionisia Ferraro of Huntington, NY, was National President of the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society for two terms, from 1986-1990.
Under the leadership of Mrs. Ferraro, a true visionary, the Philoptochos Society not only continued to expand its philanthropic outreach, but embarked on several innovative programs designed to make the society a vehicle for all Greek Orthodox women to meet the challenges of the 21st century.
During the four years of her presidency, Mrs. Ferraro traveled across the United States, Canada and Europe, attending conferences, official Metropolis Philoptochos meetings, regional meetings, and numerous events as an honored guest. Her travels had also taken her to Europe, Asia and South America where she had represented the Philoptochos Society.
We proudly honor the Fifth National Philoptochos President, Mrs. Beatrice Marks. The following reflects on her tenure as National President from 1982 through 1986.
Mrs. Beatrice Marks is remembered for revolutionizing the role of the National President, traveling across the United States and Canada (at this time we were the Archdiocese of North & South America), bringing the message and mission of Philoptochos to Churches and Chapters throughout the Archdiocese. Mrs. Marks visited each Diocese and Canada and worked closely with the National Office where she introduced modern accounting practices and procedures.
Mrs. Katherine Pappas, of Canton, MA, was appointed the fourth National Philoptochos President by His Eminence Archbishop Iakovos, Archbishop of North and South America. Mrs. Pappas served from 1974 – 1982 and under her leadership the national organization flourished and expanded its philanthropic work.
During Mrs. Pappas’ tenure, Philoptochos celebrated its 50 Year Anniversary, expanded its support of Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, MA, and made great strides in the philanthropic endeavors of the National Philoptochos ministries. The organization embraced the entire world by giving support to countries devastated by earthquakes and other natural disasters; by joining the United Nations year-long celebration for the “Year of the Child” and by reaching a new level of giving in 1976-1978 by contributing an estimated one million dollars to various worthy causes.
Mrs. Sophie Hadjiyanis, past president of the Ladies Philoptochos Society, was a distinguished lady and great benefactress of the Greek Orthodox Church. She served as president of the National Board of Philoptochos from 1964 to 1974. Mrs. Hadjiyanis was born in Smyrna, Turkey, and educated in Athens, Greece. She married Chris Hadjiyanis in London in 1934. They became permanent residents of New York City 1940. Her outstanding service and valuable participation in philanthropic causes spanned 40 years and included the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society, serving on the Board of the Cathedral Philoptochos for many years
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