NEW YORK: October 19, 2014
Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan participates in the consecration of the foundation of a new Greek Orthodox Church of St Nicholas at the World Trade Center site

On Saturday, October 18, the feast day of the Primates of Moscow and All Russia, His Grace Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan, Vice Secretary of the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, at the invitation of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, head of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese in the US, participated in the ceremonial consecration of the foundation of St Nicholas Church, which was destroyed during the terrorist act of September 11, 2001.

Archbishop Demetrios officiated at divine services along with members of his archdiocese. Present were also other members of Local Orthodox Churches operating in the United States as well as government and other public figures and clergymen and parishioners of the Greek Orthodox Church. Bishop Nicholas was accompanied by Protopriest Andrei Sommer, Vice President of the Synodal Youth Department of ROCOR, and Protopriest Serafim Gan, Chancellor of the Synod of Bishops and Secretary of the President of the Synod of Bishops.

The reception that followed took place on the 63rd floor of the World Trade Center, where Vladyka Nicholas relayed the congratulations to Archbishop Demetrios from His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America and New York, expressing the hope that the construction of the national Memorial Church to the Victims of the Terrorist Act of September 11 would be completed expeditiously, to the glory of God and to the benefit of all Orthodox Christians who visit. In return, Archbishop Demetrios expressed his hope that this church would become a center for all Orthodox Christians in New York, and wished Vladyka Nicholas Divine aid in his ministry.