New York, NY - In a moving gesture, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew during a telephone communication with Archbishop Demetrios last Saturday, September 22, announced the contribution of $50,000 by the Ecumenical Patriarchate towards the rebuilding of St. Nicholas Church, which was destroyed by the attack on the World Trade Center September 11th.
The Ecumenical Patriarch said that this constitutes a symbolic gesture on the part of the Patriarchate, expressing its deep concern, full support, warm love and participation in the restoration efforts of the American People in general, and the Orthodox faithful in particular.
The announcement of the donation was made by Archbishop Demetrios during a Memorial Service for victims of the tragedy, on Saturday, September 22nd at St. Catherines Church in Astoria, NY and was repeated the next day during the Liturgy in St. Demetrios Church, also in Astoria. Visibly moved, His Eminence communicated to the congregation and all the faithful in America, the fatherly love and prayers of His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.
Noting that His All Holiness is in constant communication with him, the Archbishop reiterated the extreme concern and agony of the Mother Church for the faithful in America, and the fervent prayers of all the hierarchs of the Holy and Sacred Synod for health, protection and restoration from the wounds inflicted by this great tragedy.