New York, NY - His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in America, has announced the reappointment of Mrs. Georgia Skeadas for a second term as President of the National Board of the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society. His Eminence stated in his reappointment letter, "Without a doubt, your dedicated leadership these past two years has brought about a new spirit and dramatic change in the National Philoptochos Society of our Holy Archdiocese. From the moment you assumed office, you devoted your time and energy to promoting the mission of the organization and I especially applaud you for the extent of your travels which have taken you from parish to parish throughout our nation, worthily representing the Society."

The Society, with over 475 chapters in the United States, and approximately 28,000 members, is the official philanthropic organization of the Greek Orthodox Church in America and was established in 1931 by the then Archbishop and later Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras.

Mrs. Skeadas accepted His Eminence's reappointment, "with an almost overwhelming sense of humility, awe, and gratitude". In her President's address at the 2004 National Philoptochos Convention, she reported that, "It has been two years since His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios bestowed upon me the significant honor of appointing me as your National Philoptochos President. With that appointment came an enormous responsibility and commitment."

The contributions and accomplishments that Mrs. Skeadas has brought to the Philoptochos Society have been innumerable. Since her administration began in September 2002, the National Philoptochos Society had been able to donate a total of well over $3 million to their National Commitments and special projects. These include assistance to Archdiocesan institutions including Saint Basil Academy, Hellenic College/Holy Cross School of Theology, St. Photios Shrine, the Orthodox Christian Mission Center as well as the programs on national and international levels including the philanthropic work of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, UNICEF, IOCC, Children's Medical Fund, Operation USO Care Package, Florida Hurricane Relief, and many other social service projects that address homelessness, substance abuse, and health issues.

The Society, under the vision of Mrs. Skeadas, has begun to extend the outreach of Philoptochos beyond the boundaries of the Greek Orthodox community, by incorporating new programs that have a more global scope. This goal is consistent with her commitment to broaden Philoptochos' horizons and to encourage a more concrete and personal approach to their philanthropic mission.

Born and raised in Hartford, Conn., Mrs. Skeadas is a graduate of St. Joseph College in West Hartford. She served on the National Board since 1998-2000, Archdiocesan Executive Council 2000-2002 and has served as a member of the Metropolis Boards of Denver and New Jersey, and Philoptochos chapters in Hartford, CT., Belmont, CA., Denver, CO, and her current parish of St. Luke in Broomall, PA. Together with her husband, Christos Skeadas, she co-chaired the 35th Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress held in Philadelphia in 2000. They are parents of a son and daughter, students at George Washington University,Washington, DC.