Statement of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America on the Progress toward the Completion of the

Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine

After much thought and prayer, the Archdiocese, the Parish Council of Saint Nicholas, and The Friends of St. Nicholas, who have taken up the awesome responsibility for financing and overseeing the construction of the Shrine, have jointly decided that the Parish’s Holy Week will be celebrated this year as it has been in the past – in conjunction with a neighboring Parish.

The delays due to the global pandemic and supply chain issues that have affected enterprises and projects around the world have not been unknown to the Shrine, which is a complex, multi-national, and highly sophisticated construction operation. The Archdiocese, the Friends of St. Nicholas, and the Parish were recently advised that hosting Holy Week this year would necessitate the demobilization and the remobilization of all construction trades during the weeks before and after Holy Week, which would push back the complete opening at least three weeks, as well as incur significant costs.

We remain on budget and on time to celebrate the Consecration of the National Shrine over the Fourth of July weekend, and we look forward to welcoming all to its sacred precincts at the World Trade Center, where it will be a lantern of hope and remembrance for all.