Saint Photios Shrine Commemorates Greek Landing Day 2020

Saint Augustine, FL- On Friday, June 26, 2020, the Saint Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine will celebrate its annual “Greek Landing Day” with two special online events, in place of a previously planned event at the shrine that was unable to occur due to the global pandemic.  

First, at 6:30 PM (EDT), a video presentation will premiere on the Facebook page of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America for the “Greek Landing Day” Celebration, which commemorates the first documented Greek immigrants to the New World, coming to the New Smyrna Colony in 1768.  The video is narrated by Bishop Demetrios of Mokissos, the Hierarchal Proistamenos of the Shrine who notes, “This annual celebration is not only a remembrance of those immigrants who sailed here on these waters, but a celebration of the spirit, endurance, and commitment that has been a hallmark of Hellenic culture from ancient times to the present.”

Next, at 7:00 PM (EDT), Bishop Demetrios will be livestreaming on the Saint Photios Shrine Facebook Page to hold a memorial commemoration for the New Smyrna colonists followed by a Reverse Raffle drawing.  The raffle will benefit the ministries of the National Shrine in place of the annual fundraising event that will continue again next year.

Bishop Demetrios of Mokissos was appointed Hierarch Proistamenos of the Saint Photios Shrine in 2019.  For many years he organized and produced similar commemorative programs, unique in our Archdiocese of America, when serving as Chancellor of the Holy Metropolis of Chicago.