Beloved Archons,
I want to wish you and your families a joyous New Year! I wanted to personally share with you today the joyous news that the Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine at the World Trade Center is back on track and moving forward! Construction will recommence this month. Today, I met with Governor Andrew Cuomo and Rick Cotton of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and their support of this project is unqualified and absolute. Enclosed you will find the official press release from the governor’s office as well as my remarks.
In order to ensure the highest levels of accountability and transparency, we have appointed the “Friends of St. Nicholas” to administer and oversee the construction of the Church. The “Friends” were established in December of 2018, to become the legal entity governing the financing and construction of Saint Nicholas. Working with the Archdiocese and the Parish of Saint Nicholas, the “Friends of St. Nicholas” will maintain a transparent, accountable process of the rebirth of Saint Nicholas. You will be hearing more news regarding Saint Nicholas in the upcoming weeks.
We anticipate that doors for St. Nicholas will open on the 20th anniversary of 9/11–September 11, 2021. Please share this good news, photos, and attachments with all your friends—both inside and outside the Church. (View Photos)
Direct contributions can be sent to the “Friend of Saint Nicholas” here at the Archdiocese. Thank you for your commitment to this dream of restoration, redemption, and resurrection. May Saint Nicholas always guide us in our sacred mission.
With paternal love in the Lord,
+Archbishop Elpidophoros of America
