Dormition of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church
29 Central Street, Somerville MA 02143
Phone: 617-625-2222 | Fax: 617-628-4529 | office@dormitionchurch.org
© 2009-2010 Dormition Greek Orthodox Church. All rights reserved.
The Philoptochos Society of this parish was founded in November 1932 by a group of eight women under the direction of parish priest, Father Constantine Kacoyanis.
The organization chose Saint Catherine as its patron saint. This seemed a natural selection since St. Catherine’s life and charismata – compassion, courage, intellectual brilliance, beauty, grace and devotion to Christian truths – embodied the highest ideals.
Over the 75+ years of its existence, the Saint Catherine Philoptochos has aided many people from the lean years of the Depression, when food baskets were distributed to needy families, to the current years of cooking for the homeless. During World War II, they enlisted members and non-members to create an Auxiliary to accomplish war work.
An active and dynamic group, these ladies have excelled at fundraising by hosting Vasilopita and Spaghetti Dinners, as well as other dinners and dances; writing plays and performing in these dramas and comedies; running pastry and tsourekia sales; organizing successful raffles; preparing and serving food and Greek pastries at the annual Festivals, and many other events. There is also an annual scholarship given to deserving high school graduates who further their education by attending college.
The Philoptochos not only has raised money to care for the needy but has purchased items for the Church – a beautiful crystal chandelier in 1935 for the parish’s first location; the emanualia in front of the iconostasion in 1938; the establishment of the Saint Catherine’s Chapel; the donation and sewing of the drapes for the Community Center; the renovation of the kitchen in the old community center; a $10,000 donation in 1966 toward construction of the kitchen in the Community Center plus additional money to help furnish the kitchen; and a donation towards new wood floors and carpeting for the Chapel, foyer and solea in 2009.
The special holidays, the Lenten season, Pascha, and the celebration of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary on August 14 and 15 have been special areas of activity, as well as participating in dinners and receptions for the visiting clergy, dignitaries and community guests who have come to the parish. In October 1991, the Philoptochos organized and hosted an elegant and glorious reception for hundreds of parishioners and friends following the Consecration Vespers Service.
Outside of the Dormition Church, the philanthropic assistance which has been given to individuals, hospitals, nursing homes and women’s shelters, to the Philoxenia House in the Metropolis of Boston, to various projects in Greece, to the Archdiocese and its institutions – St. Basil’s Academy, Holy Cross Theological Seminary and the Patriarchate in Constantinople – is worthy of the highest commendation.
For more information or to join the Saint Catherine Philoptochos, please contact President Irene Petsalis through the Church Office.
Dormition of the Virgin Mary
Greek Orthodox Church
Somerville, Massachusetts
Saint Catherine Philoptochos Society
