Nearly 3,000 people died when terrorists flew two hijacked airplanes into the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. Among the victims were also 33 Greek – Americans. Archbishop Demetrios will preside a Memorial Service at the Holy Trinity Cathedral, attended by relatives of the victims, as well as many others.
Later in the day, after attending a White House Service of Remembrance for September 11th at St. Paul’s Chapel at Ground Zero, Archbishop Demetrios will proceed to the site of the destroyed St. Nicholas Church, for a Memorial Service for the victims’ families and survivors.
St. Nicholas Church was the only religious edifice destroyed in the 9/11 attacks
On September 11, 2001 the barbaric attack not only destroyed the majestic Twin Towers but also the tiny yet historic St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, located south of the second tower of the World Trade Center. In the aftermath of its destruction, very little survived: two icons, one of St. Dionysios of Zakynthos and the other of the Zoodochos Pege, along with a few liturgical items, a book, and some candles.
Though small in stature, St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church was a place of ministry and worship both for its parishioners and also for local residents and workers in the Financial District of Manhattan who would pass by and often enter the Church. Following its collapse, the legacy of this tiny Church continues to dramatically impact peoples’ lives, and donations of almost $2 million have been received, as well as additional pledges of construction materials and appointments for the complete rebuilding of the Church. The city of Bari, Italy, where the relics of St. Nicholas were originally bestowed, has donated $250,000. The government of Greece has contributed $750,000 to these efforts, and the Ecumenical Patriarchate has given $50,000.
A committee to oversee the rebuilding of the church has met with the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation so that the task of rebuilding St. Nicholas may be properly incorporated into the concept plans for the reconstruction of the World Trade Center site located at Ground Zero. These concept plans, which are the product of an inclusive process, envision the rebuilding of the historic Church of St. Nicholas as a functioning parish, ministering once again to the needs of her faithful.
(photo: National Park Service via Wikipedia)
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