25th Annual St. Photios National Shrine Pilgrimage

3-4 February 2007
St. Augustine, Florida


St. Augustine, FL - His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in America joins the V. Rev. Father Nicholas T. Graff Executive Director, and the board of trustees of the St Photios Foundation in inviting the public to attend the 25th Annual St Photios National Pilgrimage weekend in St Augustine Florida.

Each year, pilgrims from across the land journey to this place of Greek- American beginnings, to the St. Photios National Shrine, in order to participate in the active witness of this important ministry of the Church. Like its patron Saint, the Shrine is called to be a steadfast beacon to the faithful, maintaining and perpetuating our Orthodox faith and Hellenic heritage, which we offer graciously to contemporary America.

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America will celebrate the 1982 dedication of its St Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine the weekend of February 3rd and 4th with activities beginning with the 25th Annual Meeting of the St Photios Foundation at the Casa Monica Hotel on King Street in St. Augustine.

On February 3, the public is invited to attend the first settlers’ memorial with the blessing of the graves at the Tolomato Cemetery 6:30 p.m. on Saturday. A procession will then follow from the cemetery to the chapel of St Photios Shrine where Great Vespers will be held at 7:00 p.m. The blessing of the five loaves, Artoclasia, will then be chanted and all are invited to attend the festive reception in the Constantine Sisters Courtyard.

National Shrine Day begins with Sunday services at 9:00 a.m. on February 4 in the St Photios Chapel. All are invited to attend St Photios National Shrine Day Luncheon at the Casa Monica Hotel at 1:30. Archbishop Demetrios, primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in America and President of St Photios National Shrine will be the keynote speaker. At that time, Gus J James II will receive the St Photios Award on behalf of AHEPA in recognition of their 75 years of philanthropic commitment and dedication to honoring the Greek settlers of the 1768 New Smyrna Colony.

Please note that seating is limited and tickets are available at a cost of $50.00 per ticket by calling the Shrine at 904 829 8205. Luncheon will begin at 1:30 p.m. Seating is limited and tickets are available by calling the Shrine at 904.829.8205 or by emailing Associate Director, Polly Hillier at info@stphotios.com.



(Posting date 14 January 2007)

For more information about St. Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine, located in St. Augustine, Florida, visit the shrine's website at the URL http://www.stphotios.com.

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