Prot. No. 392/2024
Archepiscopal Encyclical for National Philoptochos Sunday
November 17, 2024
Unto the Most Reverend and Right Reverend Hierarchs, Pious Priests and Deacons, the Monks and Nuns, Presidents and Members of Parish Councils, Honorable Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Members of Leadership 100, the Day and Afternoon Schools, Philoptochos Societies, the Youth, Greek Orthodox Organizations, and the entirety of the Christ-named Plenitude of the Holy Archdiocese of America:
Go, and do likewise. (Luke 10:37)
Beloved sisters and brothers in Christ,
On this National Philoptochos Sunday, when we remember the parable of the “Good Samaritan” that was read last Sunday, let us take inspiration from the final words that the Lord addresses to the lawyer who was trying to best Him in an argument. “Go, and do likewise,” the Lord said to him, and to all of us. Be merciful! Show compassion! And this is the essence of what it means to be part of Philoptochos.
Our National Philoptochos Societies, with tens of thousands of sisters who labor with love on behalf of others, have learned this lesson well from our Lord and Savior. The core value of their various ministries is to follow the example of the Samaritan and to extend God’s mercy and compassion to anyone who is in need.
Let us support them in their service to our fellow brothers and sisters, knowing that they fulfill a great need in the world. They have taken the word of the Lord to heart. And although we might not be able to be in the trenches with them, we can offer them the resources they require to “go and do likewise.” In this way, we join with them, with the Samaritan of the Gospel, and with our Lord Himself in the redemption of the world.
With paternal love in Christ,
† ELPIDOPHOROS
Archbishop of America