Daughters of Penelope

            Lenten Psalm Readings 2026

Pre-Order Lambades, Tsourekia, Spanakopites or Tiropites

 

THANK YOU to all who bought Vasilopita and Koulourakia during the holidays, we were successful and blessed by your purchases! In January, some sisters attended National Daughters Academy Zoom sessions covering the background of the organization, financial information and growing membership.

Now with the Lenten and Orthodox Easter season upon us, Daughters of Penelope Antiklea Chapter #68 has several initiatives and fundraisers underway:

Daughters encourage parishioners follow a suggested calendar of Psalms prayers during Great Lent, from Clean Monday (February 23rd) to the day before the raising of Lasarus and Holy Week (April 3rd) which can be found above. A printed calendar will be available in the foyer outside Dombalis Hall. Next year we plan to have lead readers published ahead of time.

To support the Red Tent project, DOP will be collecting hygiene supplies (pads, tampons, sanitary wipes) in a red box in the foyer outside Dombalis Hall starting February 23rd through Lent to benefit Safe Harbor, supporting homeless women. Alternatively, those who wish to donate cash can either do so online at the Cathedral website or send a check made out to “DOP” to the Cathedral office attention “Red Tent.” We hope everyone will once again be generous in helping us to help those homeless women in need.

Also, we are holding an Easter fundraiser making Lambades (Easter candles) for $18 each. Purchase using the QR code or cash / check made out to “DOP” attention Lambades. Last day for pickup is Saturday of Lazarus April 4th.

Our Easter Bake Sale of Tsourekia $18 each along with choice of Spanakopita and/or Tiropita 6 pieces for $10. will be held on two Sundays before Pascha: March 29th and April 5th Pre-order or visit our table in the Dombalis Hall during coffee hour. Lambades and Bake Sale QR code to scan for orders:

The Daughters will be supplying a meal to The Reinhart House on March 10th. DOP will serve a meal and donate household supplies, canned goods and on-the-go foods as well.

Next DOP Meeting/Potluck: Thursday, March 12th at 5:30pm. Current and aspiring Sisters are all welcome!

Please join us for a Book Talk on “The Mad Wife” on Wednesday, February 25th from ~4:30 to 6:30pm at The Brass Tap in Libbie Mill. RSVP to Zoe Mouris at (804)357-4765 by Sunday, February 22nd so we know how many to expect. Bring a friend who may want to know more about DOP!

 

Chapter Officers for 2024-2025

Jackie Harmon, President

Connie Chavez, Vice President

Zoe Mouris, Recording Secretary

Shelia Demetriadis, Corresponding Secretary

Kathy Bazianos, Treasurer

Daughters of Penelope

The Daughters of Penelope (DOP) was the realization of Alexandra Apostolides' dream.  Her desire was to create a woman's organization and because of her perseverance and the encouragement of her husband Dr. Emanuel Apostolides, a devoted AHEPAN, she formed EOS Chapter #1 with 25 charter members on November 16,1929 in San Francisco, California. The objectives of the Daughters of Penelope are to promote Hellenism, Education, Philanthropy, Civic Responsibility, and Family and Individual Excellence.     


Who is Penelope?

In ancient Greek legend, Penelope was the wife of Odysseus, King of Ithaca. Odysseus left her and their son, Telemachus when he went to the Trojan War. When the war ended, many mishaps and weary wanderings kept him from returning home. As time went on and he did not return, many suitors claimed her hand and her kingdom. For a long while she put them off with a plea that she must finish weaving a robe for Laertes, her father-in-law. However, every night she unraveled what she had woven by day, thus remaining faithful to the memory 0f Odysseus and steadfast to the sanctity of her home.

Finally, Odysseus appeared after an absence of twenty years to reclaim his wife, his throne, and his home. In the name of our Order, the Daughters of Penelope, the word Penelope symbolizes all the noble virtues, of kindness, tolerance, unselfishness, truth, goodness, beauty, self-improvement, purity, loyalty, and patience, which were evident in the character of Penelope. As her Daughters, we strive to exemplify and uphold these same values in today's world.

Antiklea Projects and Events:

Red Tent Project for Homeless Women

Koulourakia Baking

Holy Land Crafts Booth

Tsourekia, Koulourakia, and Psalms CD Sale

New Year’s Vasilopita Sale


Charities that DOP Supports: 

Daughters of Penelope Foundation, Inc. Scholarships
Penelope House-Domestic Family Violence Center: Mobile, AL
Penelope House-Domestic Family Violence Center: Brockton, MA
Penelopean Foundation Day Care Center: Athens, Greece
University of Miami, Sylvester Cancer Research Center
Saint Basil Academy-Home for young children