St. Photios National Shrine

Just steps from St. Augustine’s historic city gates at St. George Street, the St. Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine, an institution of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, is dedicated to the first colony of Greek people who came to America in 1768. The Shrine consists of exhibits depicting the life of early Greeks in America and the development of the Greek Orthodox Church in America, and the St. Photios Chapel.

A special audio/visual tape, “Our Plymouth Rock,” is available in the bookstore/gift shop and when viewed, creates a pictorial highway that transports you from the shores of ancient Greece to America. It tells the story of Greek immigrants finding themselves in a hostile and unknown land.

The magnificent St. Photios Chapel is unique in the Western Hemisphere. It is filled with exquisite Byzantine style frescoes of many apostles and saints of the Christian church. Adding vibrant luster to these extraordinary examples of the centuries old Byzantine art is an abundant use of 22 Karat gold leaf on the highlights of the frescoes.

Called “The Jewel of St. George Street,” the St. Photios Chapel should not be missed by any visitor. The St. Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine is located in historic St. Augustine, Florida, on St. George Street between Orange and Cuna Streets