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8 THE SHEPHERD • APRIL 2025 • SAINT SPYRIDON GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH OF SAN DIEGO Thanks to all the ladies and gentlemen who attended our Membership Luncheon on Saturday, March 1st. I want to thank our chairpersons Melanie Anastopulos, Kelly Samouris and Marilyn Yeatts for planning a beautiful event. This year’s Body + Soul pro- gram focused on living well and taking care of ourselves. The speakers, all from our very own St. Spyridon Family, provided valuable information and tips on body movement, exercise, nutrition, lifestyle fitness, mind body awareness, and the power of prayer. Our panel included Rhad Brown , Doctor of Physical Therapy; Georgia Samouris , Reg- istered Dietitian; Lucy Simitzes , retired ca- reer high school PE teacher, coach of team sport, and certified Personal Fitness Trainer; and Father Andrew Scordalakis , Vicar of the Metropolis of San Francisco, our beloved parish priest and spiritual leader. We believe the good works of our Anthousa Philoptochos “Friends of the Poor” Chapter are vital and noble – to aid the needy and the poor and to promote the charitable, be- nevolent, and philanthropic purposes of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. With the support of all of you, our chapter is financially sound and was able to gift over $37,000 to organizations and causes this past year. Some of the Metropolis and National Min- istries our chapter supports include: Kids 'n' Cancer, Feeding the Hungry, Hellenic College/Holy Cross, Hellenic College/Holy Cross Adopt a Student, Children's Medi- cal Fund, International Orthodox Christian Charities, Assistance for our Troops and Vet- erans, Los Angeles Wildfires and more… Locally, with your support and most impor- tantly with your participation: • We partnered with Dewey Elementa- ry School to provide school supplies and books. • Prepared over 2400 meals through our partnership with FOCUS (Fellowship of Orthodox Christians United to Serve). • Hosted children with cancer and their families at our annual Angels Christmas Party • Participated in the Salvation Army Giv- ing Tree program by providing over 150 Christmas presents to needy children in San Diego. • We walked as Team Anthousa to support The Susan G. Komen® organization in their ONE mission to end breast cancer forever. • Delivered Christmas Baskets to our Home- bound parishioners. • Supported 60 college students through College Connection ministry – we have hosted students at our luncheons to em- brace and welcome them into our St. Spyr- idon family and we send gift cards and notes of encouragement to them through- out the year. FELLOWSHIP: I want to thank Christina Frangos for overseeing our Fellowship com- mittee since 2023! Her dedication and com- mitment have ensured that our cherished tra- dition carries on. Sunday Fellowship is offered most Sundays after church. It is a time to gath- er and visit with our church family, made pos- sible through the support of our parishioners. Please sponsor a Sunday Fellowship Hour with your friends and family by providing simple refreshments (such as donuts or ba- gels, fruit, juice, etc.). Please contact Christina Frangos to schedule a date at 858.220.0071 or christinafrangos1@gmail.com . PASCHA BAKE SALE: It’s not too late to or- der your Tsourekia and Koulourakia for Pas- cha! Made by the loving hands of our Ladies of Philoptochos, these delicious breads and cookies will be available for pickup on Palm Sunday, April 13th. Please visit www.anthou- sa.net to order online; proceeds support our many ministries. “A NIGHT IN THE PLATEIA” WITH CO- MEDIAN ANGELO TSAROUCHAS: Saturday, May 3rd at 6:30PM in the Cypress Room. Mezedes, No-Host Bar and Fun! Re- serve your seat now at www.anthousa.net. ELECTIONS: Philoptochos Board Elections will be held on Sunday, May 18th. Are you interested in taking a more active role in our chapter by serving on the board? Please feel free to reach out to any board member. We invite you to join our Anthousa Philop- tochos Chapter! We welcome all – ladies and gentlemen – to help us make a difference in the lives of many. To join, please visit www. Anthousa.net. The National and Metropolis Philoptochos treasuries each receive $15 of every membership donation; any amount over $30 remains in our local chapter’s trea- sury.) Please contact Melanie Anastopulos melanieanastopulos@gmail.com or Kalliopi Samouris nyckelly@cox.net with any ques- tions. During this Lenten season, may you use this time to renew your faith and reflect on the blessings that surround you. Join us as we continue to put our faith into action through our many philanthropic ministries and pre- pare our hearts for the celebration of Pascha. Sofia Samouris Anthousa Chapter President 619.518.4537 | ssamouris22@gmail.com PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS