wfn.org | GOAA St. Photios Foundation Board Undertakes Development

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GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AMERICA
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For Immediate Release
29 October 2003

St. Photios Foundation Executive Board Undertakes Development

St. Augustine, FL -- The fall meeting of the St. Photios Foundation
Executive Board took place on October 24, 2003 at the St. Photios Greek
Orthodox National Shrine in St. Augustine, Florida.

The Executive Director, V. Rev. Nicholas Graff, welcomed members of the
Executive Board on behalf of the Foundation Chairman, His Eminence
Archbishop Demetrios.  Rev. Graff also welcomed new Trustee Rev. George
Savas, of the St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Daytona Beach, FL.
Rev. Graff thanked the Shrine's administrative assistant, Ms. Joyce Brown,
who recently retired after sixteen years of exemplary service to the St.
Photios Shrine.

Rev. Graff announced that the 22nd Annual St. Photios National Shrine
Pilgrimage is February 6-8, 2004, and that Olympic Gold Medal winner, Bruce
Jenner is will be the keynote speaker.	Mr. Jenner will speak on the
"Olympic Spirit."  Mr. Nick Furris reported that corporate sponsorship
helped secure Mr. Jenner for the Pilgrimage Luncheon.  Dr. Manuel Tissura
will chair the weekend's events.

Foundation Vice President, Mr. Harry Thomas Cavalaris chaired the meeting
and outlined new initiatives for the Executive Board.  Mr. Cavalaris noted
that, "The St. Photios Foundation Board of Trustees care for the
preservation of the St. Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine and its
history through carefully planned development."   Mr. Cavalaris delegated
responsibilities to the Executive Board to assist in the development of the
operations of the Shrine.

Foundation Treasurer, Ms. Maria Carantzas submitted the financial report.
Although the Shrine experienced growth, the yearly trend show the summer
and fall months generate smaller revenues, and that the staff properly
adjusts for this situation.  As a self-sufficient institution, the needs of
the National Shrine are ongoing and continue to require special assistance.

Facilities chairman, Mr. Anthony Megas has activated the committee,
including Trustee Emeritus and Shrine architect Mr. Ted Pappas, to help
oversee various maintenance issues and to make preservation of this
historic site a priority.

The Shrine Archbishop Iakovos Enhancement Project chairman, Mr. Nick Furris
stated that efforts continue to promote the enhancement project and the
committee will begin fundraising to underwrite the renovations.

Mrs. Cina Daskalakis, the Shrine Wall of Tribute chairperson reported that
nine families have contributed to The Wall of Tribute in 2003, and four new
subscribers have committed to add their names to be memorialized at the St.
Photios National Shine.

Marketing committee submitted a report recommending the Foundation continue
evaluating the various programs.  Operations Manager, Mr. James Stremanos,
reported that National Shrine Church Supplies (NSCS) continues to play a
valuable role in supporting the Shrine and churches that purchase candles
from NSCS directly aid in maintaining the National Shrine.

The St. Photios Shrine is the National Shrine of the Greek Orthodox
Archdiocese in America.  It commemorates the first Greek settlers on the
American continent and to all the Greek Orthodox pioneers whose love of
freedom and desire for a better life for themselves and their children
brought them to this New World.  The National Shrine is located on 41 St.
George Street in historic downtown St. Augustine, Florida.

The next meetings for the St. Photios Foundation Board of Trustees will be
held during the 22nd Annual St. Photios National Shrine Pilgrimage on
February 6-8, 2004 in St. Augustine.

Contact:    Andrew J. Lekos
E-mail AJLekos@stphotios.com

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