It is only fitting that the feast of its Patron Saint Photios, the Great Patriarch of Constantinople, is celebrated in conjunction with the honoring of the Order of St Andrew the Apostle, an organization of distinguished laymen of the Greek Orthodox Church, who have been granted the title of Archon by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.    Dr. Anthony J. Limberakis, National Commander, will offer the Keynote Address on Sunday, February 5th  at the annual Pilgrimage Feast Day Luncheon. 

His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in America and Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta, who is also President of the St. Photios Foundation, join the V. Rev. Father Nicholas T. Graff Executive Director, and chairpersons Archon Dr. and Mrs. Manuel Tissura of Atlanta, GA in inviting the public to attend the Great Vespers and Artoklasia (Blessing of the Bread) on Saturday evening at 7:00 p.m. in the St. Photios Chapel.  St. Photios will be commemorated and prayers will be offered in memory of the early Greek pioneers, the survivors of the New Smyrna Colony.  Their journey, struggles, and their ultimately realized dream of freedom granted in St Augustine is recalled by all who gather for this service.

Faithful and clergy will come together again in the chapel on Sunday morning for the Orthros and Archieratical Divine Liturgy services beginning at 9:00 a.m., followed by a hospitality hour in the beautiful Constantine Sisters Courtyard of the Shrine.  Ticket holders will then proceed to the Casa Monica Hotel where the St. Photios Feast Day 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.

Contact: Polly Hillier
St Photios National Shrine    
Tel (904) 829-8205
E-Mail phillier@stphotios.com

Schedule of Programs for February 2006
 
02/04/06      
Topic: Walking the Bible
Guest: Bruce Feiler
 
Walking the Bible is Bruce Feiler's engrossing 10,000-mile journey and archaeological odyssey through the Holy Land. In engaging and lucid prose, Feiler continually reflects on how the geography of the land affects the narrative of the Bible, and pointedly wonders whether the Bible is just an abstraction, or a living, breathing entity. Be sure to join Fr. Chris and Emmy as they speak with Bruce about this incredible spiritual and physical journey and find out why Bruce says, "Some journeys we choose to go on, some journeys choose us".
 
02/11/06      
Topic: Light from the North
Guest: Fr. Chad Hatfield, D. Min
 
The first Orthodox Christian missionaries came to America from Russia through Alaska.  In honor and remembrance of the missionaries, the St. Herman Seminary was established in Kodiak with fifteen full time students and two part time.  Be sure to join us as we speak with Dean, Fr. Chad Hatfield about the history, the challenges and the triumphs of the St. Herman Seminary.
 

02/18/06        
Topic: God: Loving Father or Absentee Landlord?
Guest: David Bentley Hart
 
Because of the various natural disasters, especially last year’s tsunami in Indonesia, David Bentley Hart, prolific writer was asked to author a book on the Tsunami. What resulted was The Doors of the Sea, Where Was God in the Tsunami?; where Hart provides a Christian perspective on the overall existence of God in these difficult times.  Be sure to join Fr. Chris and Emmy as they speak with Hart about an incredibly important subject that has caused heated discussions among many Christian
 
02/25/06      
Topic: Finding My Heart’s true Home: An African American’s Story
Guest: Fr. Moses Berry

In search of something familiar to his soul, Fr. Moses Berry chanced upon the Orthodox faith and instantly knew he was home. Join Fr. Chris and Emmy as they speak with Fr. Moses about his incredible journey to Orthodoxy; and how his family history helps to provide a bridge in understanding our common struggles.  

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For More Information please contact:
OCN - Orthodox Christian Network
Sub Deacon Nicholas Tentzeras,
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"Come Receive the Light" Radio Program
SubDeaconNicholas@receive.org
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1-888-211.4141

On Friday, January 27, Archbishop Demetrios placed a wreath on the “imprisoned graves” of those who had been executed by hanging and buried in prison during the Cypriot struggle for Independence of 1955-1959. His Eminence offered memorial prayers for the eternal repose of their souls and visited the jail cells and the execution chambers where heroic fighters were executed. 

Following, Archbishop Demetrios and his entourage visited City Hall in Nicosia and were greeted by Mayor Michael Zampelas, the City Council, various dignitaries and the general public.  During ceremonies that followed, Mayor Zampelas presented Archbishop Demetrios with the Golden Key to the City, citing His Eminence’s tireless work for a just solution to the Cyprus issue and the Archbishop’s contributions  to Hellenism and Orthodoxy.  In response, Archbishop Demetrios thanked Mayor Zampelas stating that he accepts the honor in the name of Greek Orthodox Christians in America, who will continue to support a just and fair solution for Cyprus. Mayor Zampelas and members of the National Guard escorted Archbishop Demetrios to the military post at the “Green Line”, which separates the heart of the city in two.  Nicosia remains the last divided capital in Europe. 

Later on the 27th, Archbishop Demetrios visited the historic Church of Panayia Phanoromeni and the Mausoleum where the holy relics of the martyred Archbishop Cyprianos rest.  He also visited the world renown PanCyprian High School where he spoke to the students about what can be accomplished with hard work and the importance of education. 

Next, His Eminence traveled to the Holy Metropolis of Kition in Larnaca, meeting with Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Kition.  Later he visited the Metropolis of Kirenia, which is currently headquartered in Nicosia since its displacement in 1974.  There he was greeted by Metropolitan Pavlos of Kirenia.

Later, also in Nicosia, His Eminence met with the President of the Parliament Mr. Demetris Christofias, who hosted a dinner in honor of His Eminence. 

On Saturday, January 28, Archbishop Demetrios visited the Metropolis of Morphou where he was greeted with warmth and enthusiasm by Metropolitan Neofitos, clergy and laity.  Following, Archbishop Demetrios visited the Holy Stavropegial Monastery of Kikos where he was greeted by Bishop Nikiforos, the abbot of the Monastery.  Together they visited the Tomb of Archbishop Makarios III, the first leader of the Republic of Cyprus, where the Archbishop placed a memorial wreath and offered a Trisagion Service.

Later in the day, Archbishop Demetrios visited the Apostolic City of Paphos and met with Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Paphos.  The final Metropolis visited on Saturday was the Metropolis of Lemesos where Archbishop Demetrios was greeted by Metropolitan Athanasios of Lemesos and civic leaders of the city at a reception in his honor.

Finally, on Saturday evening, US Ambassador to Cyprus Ronald Schlicher hosted a dinner at his residence in Nicosia in honor of Archbishop Demetrios

On Sunday, January 29, Archbishop Demetrios of America, and hierarchs of the Church of Cyprus, concelebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Church of Panagia Palouriotissa in Nicosia. The Divine Liturgy was broadcast via live TV throughout Cyprus.  In the afternoon, Archbishop Demetrios hosted a reception, attended by some 400 guests, to thank President and Mrs. Papadopoulos for the gracious invitation and the hospitality of the people of the Republic of Cyprus.