St. Nicholas, standing white and bright in the heart of Manhattan, is crafted entirely from Pentelic marble. It serves as a reminder of resilience, located just a few steps from the site where, 23 years ago, one of the darkest days in U.S. history was written in blood. Yet, it conveys that light will always conquer darkness.
Protothema is the first Greek media outlet to visit St. Nicholas in New York after the completion of its iconography, three years post-dedication. They spoke with Father Andreas, the church’s spiritual leader, and Executive Director Andreas Veniopoulos. The icons were painted by Hieromonk Loukas of the Holy Monastery of Xenophontos on Mount Athos, one of the most respected iconographers.
A Welcoming Embrace for All, Regardless of Faith or Nationality
For Father Andreas, St. Nicholas is a welcoming embrace for everyone, regardless of religion, background, or nationality. He explains that since September 11, 2001, when the church and the United States were both hit by tragedy, hundreds of thousands approach the entrance of the rebuilt church with mixed emotions, tentatively stepping inside. Using data collected through artificial intelligence, church officials have found that a significant portion of these visitors leave with a smile, “almost relieved,” as he describes it.
To Father Andreas, Greek Orthodox faith remains strong, only steps from the site of the tragedy, sharing with the world the message that light always defeats darkness.
The Only Worship Structure in the Entire Zone
Executive Director Andreas Veniopoulos met us in the church’s courtyard near a wall filled with names—a tribute to the donors who supported the church’s reconstruction after its destruction in the collapse of the Twin Towers and those who continue to support the Greek Orthodox faith at this historic diaspora site.
Mr. Veniopoulos explained that considerable effort was made to keep the church at Ground Zero, as the area was reclaimed by the U.S. government after 9/11, and is now exclusively managed by the Port Authority of New York. Although the plot where the new St. Nicholas stands differs from the original, it remains the only house of worship within the entire Ground Zero area.
