841
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Re-organized sections, added saints
'''Philanthropy''' is entails serving the act of donating poor by giving one's time, money, goods, time, or effort efforts to support a charitable cause, usually over an extended period of time and in regard to a defined objective. In a more fundamental sense, philanthropy may encompass any altruistic activity which is intended to promote good or improve human quality of life. The word Philanthropy comes from the Greek word ''philanthropia'' , meaning, friend of human beings.
==History of Orthodox Philanthropy==
In the Christian [[Byzantine Empire]], philanthropy was considered to be a civic and ecclesiastical virtue. Benevolence and giving were also seen as a form of worship and service to God. Early Christians put hospitality into actions by founding many of today's social institutions, including orphanages, hospitals for the destitute, homeless shelters, and refuges for the poor.
==Orthodox Saints Dedicated to Serving the Poor==
*[[Basil the Great]]
*[[John Chrysostom]]
*[[Theophanes of Gaza]]
*[[Martin of Tours]]
*[[John of Alexandria]]
*[[Philaret of Amnia]]
*[[Boniface of Florence]]
*[[Stephen]] the First Martyr
*[[Zoticus]] the Keeper of Orphans
*[[Sophia of Thrace]] the Mother of Orphans
*[[Sampson the Hospitable]]
*[[Panteleimon]]
*[[Lawrence of Rome]]
*[[Herman of Alaska]]
*[[Elizabeth the New Martyr]]
*[[Juliana of Lazarevo]]
*Mother [[Maria Skobtsova]] of Paris
==Principles of Philanthopy==
Several principles of compassion must be considered for a social welfare program to be successfully implemented:
*poverty results when family and social affiliations are severed with financial difficulties being manifest soon after;
*bureaucracy impedes charity, and care must be taken to ensure help for people in need;
*and God is essential: spiritual aid must be forthcoming for charity to be effective.
== Historical Context of Orthodox Philanthropy in America ==