St. Nicholas Shrine Holds Services for Feast Day of St. Nicholas

St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine held its first services on Sunday evening, December 5, 2022 and Monday, December 6, 2022 to celebrate the Feast Day of its patron saint St. Nicholas. His Grace Bishop Apostolos of Medeia presided at both services as His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros is leading the 4th Centennial Pilgrimage oversees. Also serving were Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Throne and proistamenos of St. Nicholas Shrine Fr. Andreas Vithoulkas and many area clergy.

Also in attendance on these historic days in the life of the Archdiocese of America were members of the Friends of St. Nicholas, parish council members, family, friends, and long-time supporters, including many who remember September 11, 2001 and have supported the rebuilding of St. Nicholas Shrine, the only house of worship destroyed on 9-11.

In his message to those present, His Grace Bishop Apostolos said, "St. Nicholas is an icon of faith, an icon of the hierarchs. It's an icon of belief and hope. Today we believe and receive from the grace of God from above... that with the unity of our faith, we made this magnificent church to become a National Shrine for all the people in this very unforgettable place in Manhattan."