St. Photios Award Recipients Announced

St. Augustine, FL – Archon Dr. Manuel Tissura, 1st VP of St. Photios Foundation announced the recipients of the 2017 St Photios Award and the Volunteer of the Year Award. “We thank the members of the AHEPA Daytona Speedway Chapter #410 for their commitment to history. They have maintained the New Smyrna Odyssey Memorial, supported St. Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine, promoted education and health in their parish of St. Demetrios and provided scholarships to a number of students over the years. For the past two years, they have provided awards to Shrine Essay winners as well. It is fitting to recognize this true partner of St. Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine.” The St. Photios Foundation recognizes a volunteer who goes above and beyond what is needed to provide what is needed on recommendation of the St. Photios staff. This year, Nicholas Aliferakis stands above all others for the time, talent and resources he has offered ever week. Niko began his work at St. Photios when he relocated to St. Augustine from Gainesville. He then joined Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in St. Augustine. Dr. Tissura added, “the Foundation thanks him for his steadfast and faithful service. Niko provides valuable maintenance and professional expertise. “The volunteer to staff ratio at St Photios is conservatively figured at 10 to 1. The staff at the Shrine are deeply moved by our volunteers’ deep love of Christ and His Church. The Trustees are volunteers who share a fervent commitment and dedication to the witness of Orthodoxy and Hellenism at St Photios. The parishioners from the surrounding Greek Orthodox Archdiocese parishes insure that the Shrine exercises an active witness to faith and culture. It is an honor to pause and give gratitude to this amazing AHEPA organization and Mr. Aliferakis. The Shrine is one of the five institutions of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese. It is located in St Augustine, FL and depends heavily on the time, talents and resources of its volunteers. The St Photios Award will be part of the banquet program commemorating the 35 th Anniversary of the Dedication of the Shrine at 1:00 p.m. at the Casa Monica on Sunday, February 5 th . Contact: Polexeni Maouris Hillier Tel (904) 829-8205 Fax (904) 829-8707 E-mail phillier@stphotios.com