[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 19 (Wednesday, January 31, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S1407]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     SAINT PHOTIOS NATIONAL SHRINE

 Mr. MARTINEZ. Mr. President, today I honor the 25th 
anniversary of the Saint Photios National Shrine, the only Greek 
Orthodox National Shrine in the country, located in Saint Augustine, 
FL.
  As early as 1768 and under the leadership of Dr. Andrew Turnbull, 
Greek immigrants traveled to America to seek a better life in Florida. 
Many of these early Greek Americans migrated to Saint Augustine, where, 
over time, a strong Greek community has formed. Greek immigrants found 
refuge there as many gathered for solace, fellowship, and worship at 
the historic Averos House built in 1749 on Saint George Street. The 
Averos House was purchased by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese in 1965, 
and in 1982, was opened as a National Greek Orthodox Shrine named after 
Saint Photios the Great, Patriarch of Constantinople.
  The Saint Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine gives honor to the 
memory of the first colony of Greeks in the Americas and the succeeding 
generations of Greek immigrants; it now serves as a connection and 
pilgrimage point for Greek Americans and the Greek Orthodox Church in 
America. It also serves to preserve, enhance, and promote the ethnic 
and cultural traditions of Greek heritage and the teachings of the 
Greek Orthodox Church in America.
  The Shrine continues to be faithful in maintaining and perpetuating 
the Greek Orthodox faith and Hellenic Heritage through its programs and 
activities to all who pass through its historic doors.
  Mr. President, February 4, 2007, will mark the 25th anniversary of 
the Saint Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine, and I ask my 
colleagues to join me in honoring the purposeful commitment and 
achievements of this religious and historical institution.

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