St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Speaks Out at Ground Zero

At 2 PM on Sunday, December 5, 2010, the congregation of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church gathered at Ground Zero. This was a Vesper Service for the Feast of St. Nicholas and nine years after the Twin Towers collapsed onto this tiny 80 years old church, it remains un-built. They still have no church to meet in as they did for 80 years.

As we arrived and were being permitted to enter the Ground Zero construction area, the media was being told NO Cameras. No filming was going to be allowed for 'security' reasons! That was bizarre. Some of the press was packing up their tripods and cameras. I wonder if some of the left? I was very surprised (as was everyone) at this restrictions. About 15 minutes later, little by little, the word began to spread that only SOME people could film (the diocese)...that too was still ridiculous since this was an event to which the media was invited. Another 10 minutes or so , everyone started filming, so I figured that meant me, too. But, never was there a formal "Go" just a sort of whispered...I guess we can film now....

The children of St. Nicholas carried precious artifacts that were damaged yet miraculously survived on that horrific day:A splintered wooden icon, a tattered altar cloth, a crushed silver bowl, a twisted candelabra, a VERY bent brass bell, mangled candles and a liturgical book. The vespers service last about 45 minutes. This is excerpts from the service with the complete homily from His Eminence, Archbishop Demetrious, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in America.

There was a large turnout by the congregation and media. However, it wasn't clear who that was other the a reporter from The Daily News. And you can see City Comptroller, John Liu who has been a very vocal supporter of The Ground Zero Mosque and supports the use of city loans and grants for the mosque. So, what about St. Nicholas? Since he was present at this service, will he go on record in support of its rebuilding? Will he support it financially?

Regarding it location, I was told the church (whenever it is permitted to rebuild) will not be at its original location, but just east of that lot. Which can be see in the back ground of the video.

I'm sorry there is distracting motion during the Archbishops homily. Without the tripod I was getting tired and fighting the sun. It's only a few times. And his homily is worth listening to for what he said in front of City Comptroller, Liu, describing the Church of St. Nicholas in Ground Zero Mosque Community Center terms.The city is falling all over itself to build a mosque at a clothing store and stonewalls a church that was in that location for 80 years. very sad.

Support for St. Nicholas. That should be a large a story and the Ground zero Mosque. Its up to us to make it a priority.

A post with some pictures is here:
http://nomosquesatgroundzero.wordpress.com/2010/12/12/st-nicholas-greek-ortho...

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• st. nicholas
• greek orhodox
• church
• ground zero
• mosque new york city
• 911

[Loiginer]

Orthodox Christians don't have any relation with inquisition or cruzades.

[danclaudiusimion]

Do not make confusion betwen inquisition and orthodox church. This because always Orthodox Church always suffering like Jesus Christ. I will remind you the loose of Constantinopol, when Catholic refuse to help their brother orthodox to defense their civilisation from desaster, just to change their orthodoxy to catholic. Think that if someone is not with God must be with satan. Why? Because in the world exist only bad and god, as a duality of life! Thank you!

[thomaserossi]

@kyriacos40 - The Crusades were no "injustice." If they were so bad then please explain why the Buddhist Emperor of China begged Europeans for their aid?

[MEGGERS126]

You should submit this to snak.tv

it didn't get near enough coverage

[AngerIsInMyBlood]

So, they are refusing to allow a church to be rebuilt that existed PRIOR to the destruction of the world trade centers...Yet they are forcibly permitting (neigh, MANDATING) the construction of a mosque even with many dissenting voices across America...

Who here felt insulted that these people should have the right to build in a place that was already once their own? I failed to hear any opposition to the church...Yet there is plenty against the mosque...

[kyriacos40]

I know in the past history, christianity had produce it share of injustice like the crusades and spanish inqusition ,but when christians follow christ teachings as good as they can it produces wonderful results.Christianity evolved, when American founding fathers wrote up the laws that were based on the bible principals leaning more towards christ teachings.Christianity produced great men like Ab Lincoln,Thomas Jefferson,Martin luther King, all were influenced by christianity

[kyriacos40]

I am greek, but not Orthodox I was raised as jehovahs wittness.I am adult now I dont belong to know relgious group, because it is my choice.I do believe in christian teaching relgions, no matter ( jehovahs wittness,catholic,mormon,bapti­st) are by far less threatening to our country.After all our country was founded by christian/judeo teachings and our country is a true testment of many freedoms and equal rights.America is a refuge to all who wants to live in a society with such freedoms.

[hamartolos1]

It's sick that it's alright to be prejudice against Christians but man..if you ever denied a Muslim to REBUILD a mosque...or a Jew his synagouge...or an Athiest his meeting place....all hell would break loose...but the Christian..."ah who cares!?". We must rise up against this and fight for our rights. I pray this church is rebuilt VERY soon!

[TheGoldenEagle19]

I'm a Greek American Orthodox, and idk why a mosque is being build in the fisrt place near WTC.... I love the fact if try to make a church in middle east it's almost impossible, but in other countries muslems protest alot for there mosque...

[EquineDreams]

@Vorushka01 ah i heard abou the bycylcle flag incident- thats a school though not a city or state law (yet) arent they taking it to court? I actualy havnt been able to follow up on it - Id love to get an update. Dearborne Michigan I know about. Thats Scary! I heard about the Cinc o de Meyo incident but am not up on the details- il have to watch the video later dont have time for anymore right now, thanks for the links though.