Benevolent Society Ladies of Kastoria 1921 - 2002
In November 1921, a handful of women, with little formal education, but full of
courage, determination and belief in their Christian and patriotic values, gathered together and founded
the Ladies Philoptochos of Kastoria in New York City. Their main goal, at the time was to assist, their
homeland, the poor, the widows, and the orphans. They also strived to maintain their ancestral traditions
and to impart them to the next generations of Greek-Americans. In 1923, the Ladies Philoptochos of Kastoria,
under the name Benevolent Society Ladies of Kastoria became a constitutional charter in Albany. The first
woman who lit the candle of Sisterhood was the late Eleni Dallas (maiden name Aivazis). In that year they
organized their first dance. The Greek American Community always supported their activities. At that time
also, a Greek school was housed at that time also, a Greek school was housed at the building of the Kastorian
Society "Omonoia".
From the profits of their functions, the Philoptochos Society has been proud to have
contributed to the following: $3,000.00 towards the Kastorian water supply in Kastoria (their first contribution),
thousands of dollars each year have been sent to assist Kastoria's poor and needy. In addition, financial
assistance was given to the orphan girls of Kastoria. On numerous occasions, aid has also been given to
the orphanages, nursing homes, and meal programs of the Greek American communities in the U.S.
During World War II, under the US Army, the Kastorians sent 280 of our young men to
the front line. Many of them never returned. Our Philoptochos managed to send care packages of food and
clothing, wherever there was a Kastorian soldier. Through the spiritual guidance and intervention of Metropolitan
Nikiforos, the Philoptochos Society also sent financial support to Greece.
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In 1947, a dinner was hosted by the Philoptochos and attended by His Eminence, the
late Archbishop Athenagoras. Numerous monetary contributions were made by generous individuals who attended
the Philoptochos dinner. The amount that was collected was used to buy hospital beds. These beds were
sent to Greece, during Greece's civil war.
Closely working with the men's chapter, (the Kastorian Society "Omonoia")
the Philoptochos and "Omonoia" organized two collections on behalf of the Red Cross. Our chapter
was honored with a Commendation when we collected over $10,000.00. We assisted with the Greek War Relief
and the U.S.O. by soliciting financial contributions. At that time also, the Philoptochos adopted an orphan
for three years.
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Our Philoptochos is honored to be a member of the Pan-Macedonian Association and proud
to have had three of our members and past presidents - Argiro Aivazis (1963-1965), Marika Karavelis (1971-1973),
and Agnes Katsamakis (1984-1985), hold the position of Supreme Vice-President of the woman's division.
The Philoptochos supports many philanthropic institutions. These include, St. Basil's
Academy and St. Michael's Home for the Aged. In addition to the $16,000.00 given to St. Michael's for
the renovation of the home, the Philoptochos continuously gives generous amounts for the needs of the
resident. We also donate money to St. Eleftherios Church of New York City, Ronald McDonald House, as well
as the first Greek - American High School in Astoria, New York. We now also donated the sum of $3,000.00
to the Red Cross Relief Fund assisting the people in need from the World Trade Center Devastation. In
its eighty-year history, the Philoptochos has been blessed with many devoted, capable and hard working
women.
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