The holy martyrs, wonder-workers, and unmercenary physicians, Cosmas and Damian, were born in Rome, brothers by birth, and physicians by profession. Brought up by their parents in the rules of piety, they led strict and chaste lives, and they were granted by God the gift of healing the sick. By their generosity and exceptional kindness to all, the brothers converted many to Christ. The brothers told the sick, “It is not by our own power that we treat you, but by the power of Christ, the true God. Believe in Him and be healed.” Since they accepted no payment for their treatment of the infirm, the holy brothers were called “unmercenary physicians.”

It is through their example that the Philoptochos (“Friends of the Poor”) is dedicated to provide help to the poor, the destitute, the hungry, the aged, the sick, the unemployed, the orphaned, the imprisoned, the widowed, the handicapped, and the victims of disasters.

With the valued assistance of the ladies of the Annunciation Cathedral, we continue to support these efforts:

• Campus Ministries– The preparation of meals for Orthodox students at Johns Hopkins University.
• Loaves and Fishes– Donation of food to the Franciscan Center of Baltimore City.
• Student/Military Easter Boxes– College students and military personnel who are away from home receive remembrance boxes at Easter.
• Weekend Backpacks for Kids– We collect food for children in Baltimore schools who are dependent on school meals, and are in need of food during the weekends.
• Baltimore City– We collect clothing, bedding, toiletries, kitchenware and household items to this organization which provides therapeutic residential treatment programs to veterans and other individuals who are transitioning through the cycle of poverty, addiction, and homelessness to self sufficiency.