St. Photios National Shrine Celebrates
239th Anniversary of Landing of First
Greek Colony in U.S.
June 22-24, 2007
St. Augustine, FL -- The 239th anniversary of Greek Landing Day will be celebrated with services and festivities on June 22-24, 2007, at the St. Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine in Saint Augustine, Florida.
The annual Greek Landing Day celebration commemorates the landing in St. Augustine on June 26, 1768, of the Turnbull colonists who attempted to found a new colony on the site of today?s New Smyrna Beach. Nearly five hundred of these colonists were Greeks. They constitute the first such settlement of Greeks and other persons of Corsica, Minorca and Italy on the American Continent.

On behalf of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, Executive Director, the Very Rev. Father Nicholas T. Graff, and the Board of Trustees, and event chairman Gary Peterson, announce the details of the 2007 Greek Landing Day events at the St Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine.


Friday, June 22--Greek Landing Day Lecture and Reception

New Smyrna Colonists, St Augustine Residents--1768 to present day--the Honorable Judge John Alexander, lecturer

5:30 p.m.--Recognition and Reception--St Photios Shrine
7:00 p.m.--Lecture--Flagler Room, Flagler College

Saturday, June 23--Greek Landing Day Services & Glendi

11:00 a.m.--Memorial and Proclamation--St Photios Chapel
12:00--2:00 p.m.--Executive Board Meeting
12 --5:00 p.m.--Dancers, pastries & music--DeMesa House Courtyard
4:00 p.m.--OPA! a cookbook by Liz Lazarides White--Greet the Author Reception -- Constantine Sisters Courtyard, St Photios Shrine

Sunday, June 24- Greek Landing Day Services and Youth Cultural Jamboree

9:00 a.m.--Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy--St Photios Chapel
NOON--Founders' Hospitality Hour, Constantine Sisters Courtyard
1:00--3:00pm--Youth Cultural Jamboree--Shrine and DeMesa Courtyard

The St. Photios Foundation expresses its deep appreciation to the financial support of St John County Tourism Council, and to Flagler College and the City of St Augustine for sharing their facilities to accommodate the weekend events. The lecture is a public forum that allows Hellenes, Philhellenes, academics and community members to come together for an informative lecture while recognizing the historical implications of the colonization of Mediterranean people in America. The Glendi and Youth Jamboree are joyful expressions of our Hellenic Heritage.




(Posting date 20 May 2007)

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