Your Eminence, beloved brother in Christ,
Archbishop Spyridon of America,
Your Grace, Bishop Iakovos,
Beloved members of the Philoptochos Society,

We are moved to great joy today, because we are in your midst, the Philoptochos Society of the Diocese of Chicago.  We are pleased to honor the 65th anniversary of your establishment, and the activities and good works which you perform under the care and enlightened guidance of His Grace Bishop Iakovos.
We consider the manifold work of the Philoptochos, which is never ceasing, performed without fanfare, and which has been thriving for decades, to be a sublime work blessed by our All Good God.  Your work has been recognized, not only by all the Orthodox communities of the greater Chicago area, but by all levels of society.
The work of the Philoptochos is the essential expression of the Orthodox Christian life.  It is the new commandment of love.  This love is what our Lord Jesus Christ first showed us, in His infinite compassion for all humanity.  He healed souls and bodies, showing mercy in so many ways.  He forgave sins.  He was good to all.  He taught us the truth.  He raised the dead.  He leads us into understanding of how to live with practical Christian love for the all the world.  He became incarnate, was crucified and rose from the dead, that He might grant us all life everlasting.  His Philanthropia, His love for mankind, is our salvation.
From its establishment, the Philoptochos society has had a deep understanding of this as its mission and responsibilities to the Church.  You have taken upon yourselves the difficult and toilsome labor of seeking out material and financial support for others. You are filled with a humanitarian and Christian spirit which obliges you to reach out to “the least” of the brethren — to those who are infirm, to those in bonds, in prison, in difficult circumstances, and in trials and tribulations.  Your message is a message of consolation, a message of hope and assistance, a message of support and ultimately, a message of salvation.  You give to others a sense of self-confidence by which they can renew their lives.
You spare no effort, no toil, no labor, and give your time freely in order to accomplish this philanthropic mission.  How many times do you put aside your own familial obligations, in order to carry it out?  And you carry it out by reaching out within your Diocese, your city, your Archdiocese and indeed, all the world.  Your assistance to food shelters around the city, your feeding the homeless by directly  ministering to them, these are signs of the depths of your love.
You, the members of the Philoptochos Society, are apostles of love.  You follow in the shining example of the Holy Women of the Church.  You are the firm support and the hope of all who run to you.
May the Lord bless your work and bring others to assist you in your necessary and God-pleasing labors for the Church.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and His infinite mercy be with you all.  Amen.