Saint Demetrios Philoxenia House Ministry Update

With thanksgiving to God and through the support of our parish family and friends, the Saint Demetrios Philoxenia House Ministry has begun serving families in need. This ministry was established to provide lodging for individuals and families traveling to Seattle for outpatient cancer treatments at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center and Seattle Children’s Hospital. The Philoxenia House offers comfort, care, and Orthodox Christian love and hospitality (philoxenia) during challenging times.
Following the blessing of the home by His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco, the ministry began accepting applications for residential assistance on March 1, 2025.

Since then, God has quickly brought families to our door. We are humbled by the response and the need.

  1. We have received approximately 20 personal inquiries about housing, from as far as Hawaii, Alaska, Texas, and Arizona, as well as several here in Washington State.
  2. In addition, during August alone, our ministry webpage (philoxenia.org) received 257 inquiries, reflecting the great need for this type of ministry.
  3. Five families have already been hosted since March, all for at least three (3) to twelve (12) week stays :
    Two cancer patients came to Seattle for transplant treatments.
    Three patients have been undergoing radiation treatments.
    Resident Comments have been positive expressing gratitude for the comfort, support, and hospitality they have found at Philoxenia House:
    “Thank you Philoxenia House for the generosity of your ministry and helping us through this unexpected journey.” Deborah and Catherine
    “Thank you, Saint Demetrios congregation; thank you for the Philoxenia House. We are forever in your debt…….’When you walk through the darkness, God shall be your light’. May God bless you always! “ Dennis and Anna
  4. Currently, the Philoxenia House is fully booked through the end of the year.
  5. We will renew and emphasize efforts to publicize our PHILOXENIA House Ministry to all Orthodox Parishes throughout the United States and beyond.
  6. We are especially thankful for Sofia Kenny, our House Manager, and all the time, energy, and empathy she has dedicated in reviewing all applications, completing the necessary documents , and welcoming our resident guests upon arrival.

We are also grateful for the generosity of parishioners who have offered their own homes to assist families in need. While one such home was ultimately too far from the hospital (lodging must be within 30 minutes of the treatment centers), the gesture reflects the true spirit of Christian love and hospitality we pray this ministry will inspire.

Philoxenia House Ministry Committee
Fr Photios Dumont; Pandora Christie; Stephanie Dikeakos; Dale Hazapis; Patrick Howard; Emilie John; John T John; Sofia Kenny; Deena Maroutsos; and Paul Plumis