News & Notes
PRESS RELEASE
24 May 2011
Arango-Fernandez painting the Archangel Gabriel
Local iconographer Fernando Arango-Fernandez (Gregorios) will
hold an exhibition of Byzantine-style icons at St. Photios
National Shrine, 41 St. George Street, St. Augustine, June 1
through September 25, 2011.
For more than a millennium, 306-1453 AD, Byzantium developed a
unique culture and created religious art in which the most
significant feature was its “abstract” or anti-naturalistic
character. Simplification and stylization were perfectly
acceptable. The Byzantine artist sought to depict the inner, or
spiritual nature of its subject.
The creation of icons is the culminating point in
Arango-Fernandez’s artistic journey, joining as they do the
spiritual and the aesthetic. For Fernando the icons are an
all-absorbing experience. He states, “The more I learn about
iconography, the more I realize how little I know. It is a
profound and mysterious art, and a portal into the Divine, a
pilgrimage toward the eternal.”
Other artistic traditions flourished in rival cities such as
Alexandria, Antioch, and Rome but it was not until all these
cities had fallen (the first two to the Arabs, and Rome to the
Goths) that Constantinople established its supremacy.
There is something timeless and universal about icons. Their
powerful manner of expression, which is both spiritual and
esthetic, is still appealing.
St. Photios National Shrine, 41 St. George Street, houses a
chapel adorned with hand-painted iconography which takes us back
to the glory and magnificence of Byzantine culture. June 1
through September 25 the Shrine will host an exhibition of
Byzantine-style icons by local iconographer Fernando
Arango-Fernandez (Gregorios) whose works are found in St.
Augustine’s Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, the chapel of
the Tolomato cemetery, and in private collections. The creation
of icons is the culminating point in Arango-Fernandez’s artistic
journey, joining as they do the spiritual and the aesthetic. For
Fernando the icons are an all-absorbing experience. He states,
“The more I learn about iconography, the more I realize how
little I know. It is a profound and mysterious art, and a portal
into the Divine, a pilgrimage toward the eternal.”
Please join us at St. Photios for a reception with wine and
refreshments on First Friday, June 3 from 5-9pm. (904) 829-8205
Polexeni Maouris Hillier
St. Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine
Contact: Polly Hillier, Director
Tel (904) 829-8205
Fax (904) 829-8707
E-Mail phillier@stphotios.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
08 April 2011
Sixth, Final Presanctified
Liturgy for Lenten Season at St Photios Chapel
Rev Father George Ioannou invites the public to witness the
ancient liturgy of the pre-sanctified gifts on Friday, 8:30 a.m.
April 15. The chaplain of the Shrine has been celebrating this
solemn service every week throughout Great Lent in the chapel at
8:30 Friday mornings. Light refreshments will be served and then
the faithful will walk over to the Tolomato Cemetery for a
special presentation.
At about 10:00 a.m. Father George will accompany iconographer
Fernando Grigori Arango to the chapel at the Tolomato Cemetery.
Together they will present Grigori's handwritten icon of Christ
the Teacher to Father Tom Willis in memory of the many Greek
Orthodox who were interred with their fellow Catholic refugees
of the New Smyrna Colony.
The Tolomato cemetery is one of the oldest cemeteries in
Florida. Prior to 1763 the land was home to the Tolomato
Christian Indian village. The chapel and burying ground were
served by Franciscan missionaries until 1763. In 1777, Father
Pedro Camps, pastor to the New Smyrna colonists, obtained
permission from St Augustine Governor, Patrick Tonyn, to
designate this cemetery for his parishioners. Father Camps was
buried here but later the body was exhumed and moved to the
Cathedral.
The St. Photios Chapel is located in the colonial Spanish
Quarter in Avero House, 41 St George Street, St. Augustine,
Florida. It is a sacred place built in memory of our ancestors
of Greek heritage. This year marks the 243rd anniversary of the
landing of Greeks in America who with Corsicans, Italians and
Minorcans joined the Turnbull colony in search of freedom and a
better life.
Polexeni Maouris Hillier
St. Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine
Contact: Polly Hillier, Director
Tel (904) 829-8205
Fax (904) 829-8707
E-Mail phillier@stphotios.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
01 March 2011
Dr. Constantine Santas - Local Professor and noted author,
offers a Sampling of the Greek Language at St Photios Greek
Orthodox National Shrine
St. Augustine, FL – St Photios Shrine is accepting applications
for the evening course, A Sampling of the Greek Language, which
will be taught by professor and author, Dr. Constantine Santas.
Please call 904 829 8205 to insure your place in the class which
will be held 4-6:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 16th at the Shrine, in
the Avero House on 41 St George Street.
The class offers a taste of the modern Greek class taught by Dr.
Santas weekly at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church located at
2440 CR 214 in West St Augustine.
Dr. Constantine Santas, is a former professor at
Milwaukee-Downer College and the University of Illinois at
Chicago Circle. In 1971, he came to Flagler College where he
taught and served as chair of the English Department throughout
his tenure. His course expertise ranges from Basic Writing to
Literature into Film. He has published articles on Greek
authors, themes, translated a number of Greek poems, and works,
translated and/or adapted plays by Euripides and Sophocles and
completed the university textbook, Responding to Film. Dr.
Santas has also written a novel and a number of original poems.
He is an Advisory Council Member for the Center for Greek
Studies at the University of Florida.
The St. Photios Shrine is the National Shrine of the Greek
Orthodox Archdiocese in America. All Orthodox Christians, church
organizations and societies are invited to make a special
pilgrimage to the St. Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine.
Contact the St. Photios Shrine (tel. 904/829-8205) for
additional information on planning a pilgrimage or retreat at
the National Shrine.
Contact: Polly Hillier, Director
Tel (904) 829-8205
Fax (904) 829-8707
E-Mail phillier@stphotios.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
12 JANUARY 2011
COME AND SEE: Activities Planned in Celebration of the 2011 Feast of St Photios the Great
St. Augustine, FL – The public is invited to the National Shrine Day Pilgrimage weekend of St Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine. The celebration will begin with Great Vespers at 5:30, Saturday evening, followed by the Blessing of the Five Loaves. Matins will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, February 6, followed by Divine Liturgy. February 6 is the Feast Day of St. Photios the Great, patron saint of the Shrine.
This 9th century patriarch of Constantinople is called "the Church's far-gleaming beacon.” He led a virtuous life, exhibited a keen intellect in his writings and was equal to Chrysostom in his oratory skills. The Roman Pope Nicholas referred to “the great virtues and universal knowledge” of Patriarch Photios. His contemporaries said of him: "He so distinguishes himself with knowledge in almost all the secular sciences, that it rightfully might be possible to take into account the glory of his age and compare it with the ancients." He passed through the ranks from layman to Patriarch in six days at Christmas, 858. He reposed in 895.
Archon and Foundation Vice President, Dr Manuel Tissura and his wife Elaine (Atlanta) have chaired the annual event for the past 9 years. The St Photios Foundation Board of Trustees convenes on Saturday, February 5 for its annual meeting. The public is invited to join the trustees for National Shrine Day Feast Day Luncheon which begins Sunday, February 6 at 1:00 p.m. at the Casa Monica Hotel.
Ted Pappas, on behalf of the Foundation, will recount the early efforts of St. John the Divine Greek Orthodox church in Jacksonville, FL. In 1971 parishioners were appointed by Archbishop Iakovos to insure the opening of a memorial on the Avero property. The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese obtained the site through the efforts of five Greek couples in St. Augustine: George and Olga Fotiou, James and Stella Kalivas, Steve and Jerry Sarris, Tom and Despina Xynidis, Spero and Martha Zepatos. The Jacksonville Greeks responded to the challenge, and under the initial leadership of their then parish priest, Father John Hondras, opened the Shrine in 1982.
The keynote address will be given by Michael J Reppas, president of The American Committee for the Reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures, Inc. 2010 Recognition awards will be given to Efrosini Fotopoulos of Holy Trinity, Charlotte, NC, GeeGee Angelopoulos of St John the Divine, Jacksonville and Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church of Holy Trinity Cathedral, Charlotte, NC. The musical interlude will be provided by the Choir of St John the Divine under the direction of Maria Tsataros Chrissovergis.
Contact: Polly Hillier, Director
Tel (904) 829-8205
Fax (904) 829-8707
E-Mail phillier@stphotios.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Polly Hillier, 904-829-8205
18 December 2010
National Shrine Recognizes St Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine 2010 Essay Contest Winners and Benefactor
St. Augustine, FL –Katherine Bacalis, chair of the annual St Photios Shrine Essay Contest, announced Victoria Pitenis of St Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Daytona Beach, FL as the author who placed first for her answer to the challenge presented in the 2010 Essay Contest.
"The St. Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine is one of the five institutions of our Greek Orthodox Archdiocese in America. The Shrine is located at the Avero House, in our nation's oldest city continually occupied, St. Augustine. The Shrine opened in 1982. It is a memorial to the 500 Greeks who were part of the New Smyrna odyssey. Throughout its 28-year history, the Shrine has been referred to in poetic and descriptive ways. It has been described as 'the jewel of St. George Street,' our 'Plymouth Rock', 'our Ellis Island,' and 'a steadfast beacon to the Faithful.' Write an explanation of these descriptive words in relationship to the mission of the Shrine. Consider the righteousness of this description of this historic and sacred site and tell us what the Shrine means to you in this context."
Victoria is the daughter of Jim and Elaine Pitenis. She is a junior at Spruce Creek High School in Port Orange, FL. She is invited to read her essay at the annual Greek Landing Day ceremonies in June, 2011.
Rebecca Morris of Mundelein, Illinois placed second. She attends the parish of St Demetrios in Libertyville, Illinois. Jimmy Pitenis, brother of Victoria, placed 3rd. He is an altar boy at St Demetrios in Daytona Beach.
Mrs. Bacalis also thanked Father Louis and Presvytera Alice Noplos, who in memory of Father's father, James Noplos, sponsored the fifth annual Essay Contest. Mr. Noplos was from Chicago, Illinois where he worked on the police force for many years. He was a dedicated servant of God and the people. Father Lou is the proistamenos at St Demetrios in Baltimore, Maryland. Presvytera Alice is president of the Sisterhood of Presvyteres.
Upon reviewing the essays, chairwoman Katherine Bacalis said, " this continues to be a unique opportunity for the youth of our Church to witness their faith, their heritage - which in turn provides a blessed opportunity for all of the Church to witness the faith and wisdom of Her Youth.” She expressed great appreciation for the work her co-committee members, Renee Gahagan of Daytona Beach, Kathy Mendez of St Augustine, and program consultant, Dr Constantine Santas. Katherine congratulated all the participants, their parents and their church communities.
The essays were reviewed and winners selected by an independent panel of judges - Jennifer E. Constantinou, Esq. of New Jersey, Phyllis Meshel Onest of Ohio, and Presvytera Renee Ritzi of Florida. Mrs. Meshel Onest is the director of religious education for the Metropolis of Pittsburgh.
Polexeni Maouris Hillier
Director
St Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine
41 St George St St Augustine, Florida 32084
904 829 8205
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - October 29th, 2010
Fifth Annual Essay Contest
Description: St. Photios Foundation is sponsoring the fifth
memorial essay contest
Deadline: November 8, 2010
Eligibility: All High School Students
Entry Fee: Free
Type: 1,000 word Essay
First Prize $500.00 savings bond and a laptop computer
Second Prize $250.00 savings bond
Third Prize $100.00 savings bond
Please note that all essays become property of St Photios Greek
Orthodox National Shrine. Writers are asked to submit a cover
page with name, address, phone number and email address with
their essay.
Write an essay of 1,000 words, responding to the following text:
The St. Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine is one of the five
institutions of our Greek Orthodox Archdiocese in America. The
Shrine is located in the Avero House, in our nation’s oldest
city, St. Augustine, Florida. The Shrine opened in 1982 as a
memorial to the 500 Greeks who were part of that endeavor.
Throughout its 28-year history, St. Photios Greek Orthodox
National Shrine has been referred to in poetic and descriptive
ways. It has been described as "the Jewel of St. George Street,"
"our Plymouth Rock," "our Ellis Island," and "a steadfast beacon
to the Faithful".
Write an explanation of these descriptive words in relationship
to the mission of the Shrine. Consider the righteousness of
these descriptive words of this historic and sacred site and
tell us what the Shrine means to you in this context.
All entries are due by November 8, 2010.
Composition Guidelines for a 1000-word Essay
by Dr. Constantine Santas
Theme Development
1. The theme of the essay must directly reflect the essay title.
2. The idea or topic of the theme must be stated in the first
paragraph, preferably the first sentence of the essay.
3. Subsequent paragraphs must elaborate on the theme and stay
close to it.
4. Remember to credit author, text and site for all
e-references. As with all references, cite and acknowledge
appropriately with footnotes and a summarized bibliography.
5. Conclude your essay by briefly reiterating your point.
Style and Grammar
1. The essay is more logical and clear when written in your own
words that are considered carefully. This shows your command of
the language.
2. Take time to review, write and rewrite. Use correct spelling.
3. It is recommended that someone other than you proof your text
– this avoids grammatical errors, etc.
WRITER EVALUATION Notes
CONTENT (50 points is a perfect score)
Effectiveness of content and organization (introduction, body,
conclusion)
Effective language choice and use of mechanics
Support of ideas and evidence of research, ideas well developed
and connected
Adaptation of topic, clear well defined and supported
Did the writer effectively arrive at his/her conclusion?
PRESENTATION (50 points is a perfect score)
Flow of manuscript - did the writer effectively communicate
his/her thoughts to the reader?
The essay was received on or before Monday, November 8, 2010,
5:00 p.m.
Organizational presentation (typed, double spaced, paragraphed,
cohesive)
When appropriate, footnotes followed by bibliography – note all
Internet sources must be confirmed and cited by “hard”
source/reference
CONSULTANT
Dr. Constantine Santas, is a former professor at
Milwaukee-Downer College and the University of Illinois at
Chicago Circle. In 1971, he came to Flagler College where he
taught and served as chair of the English Department throughout
his tenure. His course expertise ranges from Basic Writing to
Literature into Film. He has published articles on Greek
authors, themes, translated a number of Greek poems, and works,
translated and/or adapted plays by Euripides and Sophocles and
completed the university textbook, Responding to Film. Dr.
Santas has also written a novel and a number of original poems.
He is an Advisory Council Member for the Center for Greek
Studies at the University of Florida.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Katherine Bacalis, chair: This is the fifth year that Katherine
serves on the Essay Contest Committee. She is a graduate of
Florida State University with postgraduate studies at Old
Dominion University and Jacksonville College. Mrs. Bacalis
retired after 38 years of teaching in Elementary Education,
Spanish, and Exceptional Education of Gifted Students. A native
of Jacksonville, she has been a member of the St. John the
Divine Parish Council, the Choir, past president of Daughters of
Penelope, Church Youth Advisory Board, and St. Photios
Foundation.
Renée Gahagan: This is the fifth year that Renée serves on the
Essay Contest Committee. She is a graduate of Youngstown
College. Ms. Gahagan has served on many boards within the
Metropolis of Atlanta including OCMC, St. Photios Foundation and
Philoptochos, where she held the office of diocese president, as
well as a representative to the National Philoptochos Executive
Board. The recipient of numerous awards, Ms. Gahagan served as
advisor on children’s issues to many State and Federal
Representatives and was named Florida Business Woman of the Year
2006 by the GOP. Renée is President and CEO of Signature Events
International.
Kathy Mendez: This is the fourth year that Kathy serves on the
Essay Contest Committee. She and her husband Bill are faithful
stewards of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in St. Augustine,
Florida. She grew up in Baltimore, Maryland and in the tradition
of her family, has been an enthusiastic volunteer to the Shrine
and her Church.
Previous Memorial Essays and the Grand Prize Winners
2006 Essay Contest in memory of Angie Constant and in honor of
V. Rev Father Nicholas Graff; benefactor – Archon Sam Constant,
Daytona Beach, Florida;
Grand Prize Winner, Emmanuel Maginas, Aliquippa, PA
2007 Essay Contest in memory of Archon Andy Xepapas; benefactor
Aliki Xepapas, Daytona Beach, Florida;
Grand Prize Winner, Connie Pitenis, Daytona Beach, FL
2008 Essay Contest in memory of a loved one, anonymous
benefactor
Grand Prize Winner, Victoria Pitenis, Daytona Beach, FL
2009 Essay Contest in memory of John N. Pappas; benefactor –
Trudy Pappas and her daughters Pamela Toundas, Tina Blizzard and
Mary Grawe
Grand Prize Winner, Emmanuel Maginas, Aliquippa, PA
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - October 29th, 2010
The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese in America has owned the Avero House property for almost fifty years. For the past 30 years, this colonial Spanish structure, located in St. Augustine, Florida has been known near and far as the St. Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine. This sacred site witnesses the Orthodox faith and the Hellenic culture to thousands of visitors each year.
The reconstruction project was a convergence of experts. Listed among them are the historian and archeologist: Epamonides Panagopoulos and Kathleen Deegan; the architect and director: Ted Pappas and Jim Couchell (Bishop Dimitrios of Xanthos); the fundraisers: George and Georgia Croffead and Ernie Villas, the production, promotion and public relations team: Peter Bouras and Ted Johnson. Their commitment, with a myriad of others, lent to the opening of this sacred site on February 22, 1982.
The St. Photios Chapel, the historical museum, the Orthodox and Video Rooms share a dearth of information within American pre-Revolutionary history and Greek immigration. The temporary exhibit area showcases cultural aspects of Hellenism throughout the millennia.
This year, the Foundation presents the Parthenon as seen through the lens of Peter Yalanis. The Shrine also recognizes the work of Mr. Michael Reppas, president of the American Committee for the Reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures.
Join us November 5th for the Opening of the Exhibit – Meet Michael and Peter – The exhibit will run through June 30, 2011.
The Public is Invited to the
GRAND OPENING RECEPTION
November 5, 2010
5:00 - 9:00 p.m.
“ALL SIDES OF THE PARTHENON:
A TOURING EXHIBITION”
September 1, 2010 - June 30, 2011
Photographer's Lecture - Peter C. Yalanis
"Behind the Lens"
6:00 p.m.
The American Committee for the Reunification of the Parthenon –
Michael J. Reppas II, Esq., President
"Effecting the Return of the Parthenon Marbles from London to Athens"
6:30 p.m.
St. Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine
located at the Avero House in St. Augustine, Florida
41 St George Street
904 829 8205
Wine and Cheese Reception to be provided by the St. Photios Shrine Greeters.