Annual Greek Landing Day Commemoration Honors Early Immigrants and St. Photios Legacy in Florida
Ceremony marks the historic 1768 arrival of Greek settlers and celebrates the leadership transition at the National Shrine.
ST. AUGUSTINE — On Thursday, June 26, 2025, clergy, civic leaders, and faithful gathered at the St. Photios National Shrine for the annual Greek Landing Day commemoration, honoring the memory of 500 Greeks who arrived in America under British indentured servitude in 1768. The solemn service took place in the narthex of the Shrine’s Chapel of St. Photios, led by His Eminence Metropolitan Dimitrios of Xanthos and local Orthodox clergy.
His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America sent written greetings, paying tribute to the immigrants’ courage and offering gratitude to outgoing Executive Director Polexeni Maouris Hillier for her 20 years of devoted service. During the ceremony, St. Augustine Mayor Nancy Sikes-Kline presented the city’s Greek Landing Day Proclamation to Archon Carl R. Hollister, who was formally welcomed as Hillier’s successor.
The commemoration continued with a blessing of graves at Tolomato Cemetery and a ceremonial procession to the statue of Ioannis Ioannopolis in the Garden of Educators. Educator and community leader Stella Kokolis addressed the crowd, highlighting the statue’s significance and honoring those who helped bring it to life.
A reception followed at the Shrine, hosted by the Philoptochos chapters of St. John the Divine in Jacksonville and Kimisis Tis Theotokou in St. Augustine. The Greek Landing Day Banquet, prepared by the Triantafyllopoulos family of the Athenian Owl Restaurant, brought together dignitaries and guests for a festive conclusion.
Archon Anthony Megas served as master of ceremonies, introducing greetings from several prominent Orthodox and Hellenic leaders. The evening’s keynote address was delivered by Mrs. Hillier, who offered a heartfelt tribute to the Shrine’s supporters and reflected on her years of service. She formally introduced Carl and Cynthia Hollister as her successors, affirming her confidence in the Shrine’s future leadership.
Hollister presented the St. Photios Medal to Stella Kokolis and Archon Manuel Tissura for their long-standing dedication to the Shrine. The event concluded with a special tribute from Holy Trinity parish – a memorial brick to honor Allan and Polly Hillier’s decades of faithful service. The brick will be placed in the parish courtyard as a lasting reminder of their legacy.
