The St. Photios Foundaton, Inc. of St. Augustine, Florida is inviting teenagers between 13-19 years old to submit a 1,000-word essay for its annual Essay Contest.
The essay contest receives support from the estate of Mrs. Kathie D’Anna and AHEPA Socrate Chatper #6 in Jacksonville.
The foundation will award the following prizes to the top three essays: first place wins $500; second place wins $250 and third place wins $100.
Applicants must answer the below question “thoughtfully and thoroughly.” The pre-text to the question is as follows:
There are 21 relics of saints of the early Church enshrined in the St. Photios Chapel. There are a dozen artifacts including the St. Photios cross, on exhibit in the museum. The ecclesiastical items of Father Grigoris Eliades of blessed memory are lovingly displayed, commemorating the five martyrs of Semendria and the “Divine and Holy Gospel/Dedicated to the ever Blessedness and Exalted Patriarch of Jerusalem, Lord Chrysanthos Notaras, Venice: By Nikolao Saro, 1754.
Question: “How do we, as Orthodox Christians, relate to these sacred and historically significant treasures?”
Documents must be submitted double-spaced with a cover page including: essay title; applicant’s name, address, phone number and home parish and its location.
Essay writers have until January 6, 2020 to submit an application. An independent panel will review their essays and will announce results on February 1, 2020. Thereafter, the essays become the property of St. Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine.
For more information, visit their website.
Click here to download application
