NEW YORK – In the wake of the announcement of the agreement between the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, announced by Governor Andrew Cuomo and Archbishop Demetrios earlier today, the Archdiocesan Council, in its semi-annual meeting in New York City, responded with a jubilant and prolonged standing ovation. The unanimous sense of the Archdiocesan Council was of great joy and gratitude that St. Nicholas Church has finally found its place, after 10 years of waiting, in the new reality of Ground Zero.

Archbishop Demetrios made the announcement to the Archdiocesan Council in a robust and detailed report about the history of the process, highlighting the extraordinary role of New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo, under whose auspices negotiations between the Archdiocese and the Port Authority resumed in a substantive manner and came to this happy conclusion.

Detailing the history of all the developments surrounding the St. Nicholas Church, Archbishop Demetrios praised and expressed his deep gratitude to New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. The Mayor continuously and unwaveringly supported and offered his personal encouragement for the rebuilding of St. Nicholas Church. The Archbishop also expressed his sincere thanks to the former Governor of New York George Pataki, who days after the tragedy of September 11, 2001, made the initial commitment to rebuild St. Nicholas Church at Ground Zero, and since that time continuously supported the efforts for the rebuilding of the church.

The Archdiocesan Council concluded prayerfully with a joyful spirit that the St. Nicholas Church will be rebuilt with the help of God and with the efforts and labors of the faithful.