Eve Condakes, Ninth National Philoptochos President, 1998-2002

We proudly honor the Ninth National Philoptochos President, Mrs. Evanthea Condakes. The following reflects on her tenure as National President from 1998 through 2002.

Mrs. Condakes served as National Philoptochos President under Archbishop Spyridon and Archbishop Demetrios bringing her business acumen to the presidency as well as the years of philanthropic service she and her late, beloved husband, Leo Condakes, offered the Church. During her tenure national membership increased, Philoptochos raised enough funds to have a surplus at term’s end and raised awareness of the Philoptochos good works through the establishment of the Voice of Philoptochos page in the Orthodox Observer and the Voice of Philoptochos video.

Eve remained devoted to Saint Basil Academy that demonstrates Philoptochos’ commitment to children. During her tenure tutoring programs were inaugurated and supports were established so that the children could continue through college.

Eve traveled regularly from Boston to the National Philoptochos Office in New York City to oversee the multiple presidential responsibilities. She is especially grateful for the opportunity to travel around the country to meet the devoted Philoptochos women.

During her tenure, Philoptochos instituted the National Ministries Commitment Coupon Book as a major efficiency to process Chapter contributions; developed and distributed a Domestic Violence Manual prepared by Social Worker Paulette Geanacopoulos; donated $30K to the Ionian Village Appeal and $129K to the September 11th Relief Fund; initialed Support a Mission Priest program and established a new ministry for International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC). National Philoptochos also established a program so that new brides received a free membership for their first year.

Mrs. Condakes offered the following advice to members, “Continue to show the great devotion the founders of Philoptochos showed because Philoptochos is an organization to be proud of.” As a legacy for the future she stated, “I charge all the existing members of Philoptochos to recruit more members and believe sincerely that the dream the founders of Philoptochos had will never die.”

Mrs. Condakes passed away September 12, 2014. May her memory be eternal.