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7 THE SHEPHERD • MARCH 2026 • SAINT SPYRIDON GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH OF SAN DIEGO WE ARE PHILOPTOCHOS! Now is the time to join the Anthousa Chapter of Philop- tochos or renew your membership if you ha- ven’t already. All ladies and gentlemen are invited to join to help us make a difference in the lives of many. Even if you cannot active- ly participate, your membership donation helps us continue to support many charitable endeavors within our parish as well as local, national and international communities. Last month we had our annual membership luncheon, which corresponded with Nation- al Women’s Heart Health Month, and I was truly honored to welcome our members to our luncheon. Thank you to co-chairs Ma- ria Platis and Kelly Samouris for planning the festive event, as we all wore red to bring awareness to women’s heart health. A de- licious luncheon was enjoyed, and we were treated to a truly inspirational talk by Dr. Liz Wang-Giuffre, a pediatric cardiologist from Rady’s Children’s Hospital who spoke to us about the importance of taking care of and listening to our bodies, both physically and spiritually. Let’s remember Dr. Wang-Giuf- fre’s important advice, after all we women are the caretakers of the world. HELLENIC COLLEGE / HOLY CROSS On Sunday March 15th, Philoptochos will be having a special tray collection for Hellenic College Holy Cross. Please make checks pay- able to Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society. PASCHA BAKE SALE The season is almost upon us to enjoy fresh tsourekia and koulourakia for Pascha! Made by our Ladies of Philoptochos, these deli- cious breads and cookies will be available for pickup on Palm Sunday, April 5th. Please see ordering form for details. AGAPE - A CELEBRATION OF LOVE Save the date, Sunday April 19th, 2:00 PM at the Newport Beach Country Club. This spe- cial event will benefit the Orthodox Metrop- olis of San Francisco Ladies Philoptochos Kids ’n’ Cancer Ministry. SUNDAY FELLOWSHIP Please consider sponsoring a Sunday Fellow- ship Hour with your friends and family by providing simple refreshments (donuts or bagels, fruit and juice). You can honor fam- ily members or celebrate special occasions. Contact Olympia Kyriakidis at 619-507-6521 or karpenisiotisa@gmail.com. ICON ADORNMENT Philoptochos invites every family to com- memorate a special Feast Day in honor of your someone special by offering a donation to cover the cost of decorating the icon with beautiful fresh flowers for veneration in the Narthex. The liturgical year presents many opportunities to honor your family mem- bers and an important day in the life of the Church (suggested donation is $85). Please contact the office at 619.297-4165 to reserve your date now. Thank you to all who have joined Philopto- chos for the first time and to those who have renewed their membership, it is never too late to join! Please visit our table in the hall to sign up or visit www.anthousa.net . Please join us as we continue to put our faith into action through our many philanthropic min- istries, WE ARE PHILOPTOCHOS! In Christ’s Sisterhood, Michelle Defelippi Anthousa Chapter President PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS