Saint Photios Shrine Celebrates Greek Bicentennial

Special Exhibit on Greek Independence Opens March 25

 Bishop Demetrios of Mokissos invites the public to join in prayer on Thursday, March 25, 2021, Greek Independence Day, at the Chapel of the St. Photios National Shrine at 12:30 p.m. His Grace will celebrate a Doxology of Thanksgiving for the liberation of Greece from the Ottoman yoke of slavery and will commemorate the souls of those national martyrs, the clergy and laity, who fought and sacrificed for their country and faith (1821-1829).

Following the brief service, Hon. Tracy Upchurch, Mayor of St. Augustine, FL, will cut the ribbon to the 2021-2022 Special Exhibit, “The Greek Revolution Through American Eyes,” offering the perspective of 19th century Americans on the Greek experience during the “Age of Revolution (1774-1849)”. This special exhibit will be on display through March, 2022.

St. Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine is an institution of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America located on 41 St. George Street in the colonial quarter of St. Augustine, Florida. Its permanent exhibit honors the memory of the first 500 Greeks who came to America in 1768 as indentured servants. In 1777, the refugees of the failed New Smyrna Colony, located 75 miles away, were received by Governor Patrick Tonyn and given sanctuary at the Avero House, now the site of St. Photios National Shrine.

Please note that the services on March 25th, as well as ecclesiastical services held the third Monday of each month, are livestreamed through the St. Photios National Shrine Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/SaintPhotios.