The Antiochian Orthodox Christian Women of North America was founded in 1973 through the vision of His Eminence Metropolitan Philip Saliba as an organization of the Antiochian Archdiocese. Its purpose is to develop a spirit of Christian leadership, awareness, and commitment; to foster a genuine expression of love and service through works of charity; and to instill a sense of fellowship and a deeper understanding of the heritage and traditions of the Orthodox Church.

The primary areas of focus of the Antiochian Women are represented on the North American Board by several standing committees, the coordinators of which are appointed by the president of the Antiochian Women. These standing committees are:

• Religious: The Religious Committee promotes spiritual activities, including retreats and other special programs for women, adult education programs and special programs observing specific feasts and fasts of the liturgical calendar.
• Humanitarian: The Humanitarian Committee promotes and encourages projects and programs of a humanitarian nature, drawing from the legacy of humanitarian good works performed by women in the parishes of the Antiochian Archdiocese throughout its history.
• Project: The Project Committee has the responsibility of coordinating the raising of funds from women throughout the Archdiocese to benefit one specific fund-raising project adopted each year by the Antiochian Women.

Participation in the Antiochian Women can truly include every woman in the Archdiocese in that we are all called to be members by our personal acceptance of the charge “take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it” (Col 4:17).

The Church of Jesus Christ consists of every person in it, clergy and lay people pulling together and working together. The Community of Christians is described in the Scriptures as “a priesthood of all believers”. We are all ministers of Jesus Christ, whether men or women, ordained or lay, we are called to be ambassadors for Christ. Without exception, each and every one of us is called to serve our Lord and our church in ways that allow God’s love to shine through us, for the benefit of others.

The following are the words of His Eminence Metropolitan Philip from 1972 when he proposed starting a women's organization in our Archdiocese, "We must realize once and for all that women have a definite ministry in the life of the Church. Very often we have the tendency to confine women’s role in the church just to the kitchen. Both the Old and the New Testaments testify beyond doubt to the important role which women played in the history of salvation. Time does not permit me to speak in detail about Ruth, Sarah, Rebecca, Rachael, the Virgin Mary, the ointment bearers, the deaconesses and many others who ministered to the Church and Christ and were instruments of His Divine purpose in history. We don't have to consult the past too much in order to prove our point. If you just look around you in your own parish, you find those devout ladies serving God as church teachers, choir members, youth leaders and fund raisers. It is very disappointing that in some parishes women are not allowed to vote or to be elected to Church Councils. We must definitely do away with this Medieval and archaic outlook concerning women. Our church does not teach that women are inferior to men. Despite their different functions, men and women are equal in the eves of God because both were redeemed by His Precious Blood. St. Paul said. 'There is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.' (Galatians 3:28). I propose, therefore, that a National Sisterhood of Charity be organized in the Archdiocese. The structure and goals of this organization will be defined in the future. I also propose that the President of this Sisterhood, by virtue of her office, should become a member of the Board of Trustees of the Archdiocese and should report annually to this General Assembly."

According to a news report in an August 2013 edition of The Los Angeles Times, over one million Syrian children are refugees, the worst worldwide crisis in twenty years. The majority of these children are under eleven years of age, and thousands arrive in refugee camps without family or friends. At our 40th Anniversary Luncheon during the Archdiocese Convention in Houston, July, 2013, His Eminence Metropolitan Philip challenged us with a mission that is beyond bricks and mortar, going to the very heart and soul of our faith: “Help the Orphans of War in Syria.” His Eminence has asked the Antiochian Women to raise $200,000 towards this worthwhile Project. All monies raised will be distributed directly to the affected areas.

When asked by His disciples who was the "greatest in the kingdom of heaven," our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ called a little child to Him and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you ... become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 18:1-5).

In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

0 Christ our God, we are all pledged to serve Thee with our whole being. Help us to continue to work for Thee through our Church without seeking praise, without seeking personal gain, without judging others, without a feeling that we have worked hard enough and now must allow ourselves rest. Give us strength to do what is right and help us to go on striving and to remember that activities are not the main thing in life. The most important thing is to have our hearts directed and attuned to Thee. Amen.