The St. Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine proudly held its Second Annual Indiction Lecture Series on September 1, 2024, a day that featured profound spiritual reflection, intellectual discourse, and fellowship.
Sponsored by Archontissa Angela Damianakis, LCSW, and underwritten by OIKOU.org, the event attracted distinguished attendees from Florida, Detroit, and New Jersey, marking it as a significant moment in the Shrine’s ongoing mission to foster community engagement and spiritual education.
Guests enjoyed moments of fellowship before the keynote lecture by Iconographer Archon Elias Damianakis. His “Ecological Asceticism” presentation explored the intersection of Orthodox Christian spirituality and environmental stewardship, a concept famously advocated by the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.
Damianakis eloquently conveyed the significance of this Orthodox teaching: “The Greek Orthodox concept of ‘ecological asceticism’ profoundly expresses the Church’s understanding of the relationship between humanity and creation, rooted in the broader theological framework of Orthodox Christian spirituality,” he explained. “It emphasizes a disciplined and sacrificial approach to the natural world, recognizing it as a sacred gift entrusted to us by God.”
Photos: Theophani Sarigianis
