For the annual commemoration of the Fall of Constantinople observed May 29, the St. Photios National Shrine is proud to announce its Second Annual Drawing Competition open to children ages 9-12 of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. 

The annual commemoration of the Fall of Constantinople is not only a remembrance of the fall of the capital of the Roman Empire on Tuesday, May 29, 1453 by the Ottomans who finally took the “Queen of Cities” established by Saint Constantine the Great some eleven centuries earlier; rather, it is also a celebration of Byzantine culture and the Hellenic culture that sprang from this pivotal event in world history.

Besieged by the Ottomans, Constantinople and a few remaining lands of the Roman (Byzantine) Empire was led by the Emperor Constantine XI Palaiologos, successor to the founder of the capital over a thousand years earlier, Emperor and Saint Constantine the Great.  With the breach of the city walls that had protected the city for over a millennium, the Emperor and defenders consisting of Greeks, Genoans and others were finally vanquished.

Participants will submit drawings of the last Byzantine Emperor, successor not only to the great saint whose name he bore, but also to the final dynasty of emperors who, even as their Empire was slowly declining, oversaw a resurgence in ecclesiastical art and theology.

Eligibility

This competition is open to all children ages 9-12 of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. There are no fees for participation.

Prize

One grand prize of $250.00.

Due Date

All submissions must be received at the Saint Photios Nation Shrine NO LATER THAN Monday, May 9, 2022 via email to: Polexeni Maouris Hillier, Executive Director of St. Photios National Shrine at [email protected]. The Winner will be announced on May 29, 2022 during the annual Fall of Constantinople Commemoration of the St. Photios National Shrine. All submissions will become property of the Saint Photios National Shrine.

Submission Requirements

• One 2-dimensional drawing of Emperor Constantine XI Palaiologos, on 8 ½” by 11” paper (portrait/vertical view).

• The following media (or combination of media) may be used: crayon, marker, colored pencil, watercolor paint.

• Two high-definition photographs of drawings; one of the drawing itself (alone), and one including the artist holding the original drawing.

• Contact information including artist’s name, age, home address, parish affiliation, and parent or guardian’s email address.

Visit the St. Photios National Shrine Website

https://stphotios.org/