NY Gov. Cuomo: Non-profit body to shepherd full completion of iconic St. Nicholas Orthodox Church at ‘Ground Zero’

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo on Thursday officially welcomed and met with the Archbishop of America, His Eminence Elpidophoros, with the highlight of the meeting being the announcement of a restart of construction of the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine at the World Trade Center site in Manhattan.

This meeting was the first between the governor and His Eminence since the Archbishop was elected in May by the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate as Archbishop of America, to succeed Archbishop Demetrios.

The project will be driven by a new non-profit organization, with an independent 13-member board – called the Friends of St. Nicholas.

The new entity has been formed to ensure that the sacred space is completed as as soon as possible and can begin welcoming visitors from around the world. The Friends of St. Nicholas will aim to resume construction with a two-year target to complete the church.

In a statement, Cuomo said: “The rebuilding of St. Nicholas Church that was destroyed on September 11 is a moment of coming together and healing, not only for the Greek Orthodox community, but for all New Yorkers who lived through that horrific day … This house of worship will serve as a reminder that our collective faith is something we can always count on to move past our painful memories and build a better tomorrow.”

The rebuilding of St. Nicholas Church will be the single most important public affirmation of our Orthodox faith in our American nation since the late Archbishop Iakovos marched with the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in Selma, Alabama in 1965.https://t.co/LXYF0fQpJd

— Elpidophoros (@Elpidophoros) 3 Ιανουαρίου 2020

A happy New Year indeed! Construction of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine will recommence this month. Doors will open on the 20th anniversary of 9/11—September 11, 2021.

— Elpidophoros (@Elpidophoros) 2 Ιανουαρίου 2020

I’m excited to announce w/ Archbishop Elpidophoros that construction will resume on St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church at @_WTCOfficial.

The rebuilding of St. Nicholas Church, destroyed on 9/11, is a moment of healing, not only for the Greek Orthodox community but for all NYers. pic.twitter.com/AcZxTJ34kQ

— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) 2 Ιανουαρίου 2020

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