The Philoptochos, which means “Friends of the Poor” in Greek, is a charitable organization of Orthodox women who work together to serve Christ and their fellow human beings and wider society.  
 
The Philoptochos members promote the charitable, benevolent, and philanthropic purposes of the Greek Orthodox Church here in America and in the Somerville area, together with the Parish Priest and the Parish Council.

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The members of the Philoptochos help the poor, the destitute, the hungry, the aged, the unemployed, the orphaned, the imprisoned, the widowed, the handicapped, the victims of disasters; they tirelessly undertake much important work in the Church, offering assistance to anyone who may need the help of the Church, such as with the burial of impoverished persons.  They strive to preserve and perpetuate the Orthodox Faith through practice, good works, and traditions. 
 
In the words of a great friend of the poor himself, St. John Chrysostom (from his work, On Wealth and Poverty): “To fail to share our own wealth with the poor is theft from the poor and deprivation of their means of life.  We do not possess our own wealth but theirs.  If we have this attitude, we will certainly offer our money, and by nourishing Christ in poverty here and laying up great profit hereafter, we will be able to attain the good things which are to come, by the grace and kindness of our Lord Jesus Christ, with Whom be glory, honor and might, to the Father, together with the Holy Spirit, now and every and unto ages of ages.  Amen.”