St. Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine gift shop and museum is open Monday through Wednesday, 9-5; Thursday – Saturday, 10-6; and Sunday, 12- 6. The public is invited First Fridays to stop in for a taste of Greek wine and food 4-6:00 p.m. on November 5, December 2, and January 6 in celebration of the special photograph exhibit, “Ancient Greek Origins.” These images focus on two of ancient Greece’s most significant and enduring legacies: the origin of Western Civilization and the origin of the International Olympic Games. Western Civilization traces its roots to the establishment of a democratic state that is cited in 500 BC when Cleisthenes led Athenian society. Political and philosophical thought expressed then not only shaped Hellenic society, but also resonates throughout the world today. Documentation of the first Olympics is recorded in 776 BC when a cook named Coroebus from Elis, Greece, won the stade, or 200-yard run. These games occurred every four years until 393 AD when Christian Emperor, Theodosius I, abolished the games. These remarkable photos represent a collection of hundreds of images collected for this project. Photographers captured the light and color of temples and venues within ancient Olympian valleys. The photographers’ unique perspectives were realized from inside and atop the Athenian Parthenon and other Classical structures. This is a second exhibit in St. Augustine for Mr. Pete Yalanis, president of Dogs Up a Tree Photos. His traveling exhibit, All Sides of the Parthenon, ran 2010-2011 in the St. Photios museum. All photographs are available for purchase. The exhibit will continue through June 30, 2017. The Shrine is located at 41 St. George Street within the Colonial Quarter. For more information, CONTACT: Polly Hillier St. Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine 904 829 8205 E-mail: info@stphotios.com
