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When Greece was experiencing a migrant crisis, what stood out to Noel Demetrio amid all the noise was her observations about how Greeks responded. This was the first time she understood what the Greek concepts of philotimo and philoxenia actually meant, and seeing those values in practice helped her understand what it truly means to be Greek.
Noel Demetrio is a student at the University of Texas at Austin, where she is pursuing a Plan II Honors major and plans to add international business to her studies. A parishioner of St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Chicago, Noel joined the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America’s Girl Delegates to the United Nations program in February 2024.
Noel’s aunt Sherry initially encouraged Noel to apply to the Girl Delegates program, saying it had Noel “written all over it.” Noel took the idea seriously, thinking back to her experience in Greece.
“I had watched Greeks who were struggling themselves still constantly find ways to give to others, especially during the refugee crisis,” Noel says. “It made me feel like if I were ever given an opportunity to use my voice or represent my Greek heritage in a meaningful way, I had a responsibility to at least try. So when this opportunity came along, I knew I had to apply.”
For Noel, her Orthodox faith and Greek culture have always been closely connected. Her parents taught her faith should be reflected in how people treat and care for others–echoing philotimo and philoxenia. She was raised with Saint John Chrysostom’s teaching about seeing Christ in the person in need at the church door, not only in the chalice.
Through the Girl Delegates program, Noel has had the opportunity to advocate for girls on an international level while representing her Greek Orthodox faith and values.
The program has also allowed Noel to participate in important conversations at the United Nations, and exposed her to perspectives she might not otherwise have encountered. During the 68th and 69th sessions of the U.N. Commission on the Status of Women, she had the opportunity to participate in conversations concerning women’s rights, including with leaders from Nepal, Cyprus, and Greece.
Through the program, Noel also developed a network of talented young Greek women who have become both friends and sources of inspiration. She met girls from across the country who continue to inspire her, including fellow Chicago-area Girl Delegate Dia Drossos. Noel describes Dia as a wealth of information whose passion encourages her to continue learning and becoming more involved.
“Every time I talk to her, I walk away wanting to know more and do more,” Noel says.
Noel’s work at the U.N. also led to her recognition at the White House, where she was selected as one of 10 Girls Leading Change honorees in 2024. There, she met other young women who had made meaningful contributions to their communities and shared her commitment to creating tangible change. Noel remains in contact with several of the honorees, and continues to draw inspiration from their work.
“Watching their continued accomplishments constantly pushes me to think bigger,” she says.
Noel also believes the Girl Delegates program helped prepare her for college, challenging her to look at problems through a global lens and better understand how different cultures, backgrounds, and experiences can shape the way people view the same issue in distinct ways.
Noel encourages all Greek Orthodox girls to apply to the Girl Delegates program.
“Walking into the United Nations never gets old. There’s an energy and a sense of hope there that’s hard to describe,” Noel says. “It’s an experience most people will never have, and getting to advocate on behalf of girls while also representing our Greek Orthodox faith makes it even more meaningful.”
The post How this Girl Delegate learned the true meaning of philoxenia appeared first on Orthodox Observer.
