Message from Father Andreas Vithoulkas
Proïstamenos and Archiepiscopal Vicar of the Saint Nicholas National Shrine
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Dear Friends of Saint Nicholas,
It has been nearly one year since my appointment by His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America to serve as Proïstamenos and Archiepiscopal Vicar of the Shrine. It was last year, on August 25th, that His Eminence announced my new mission and ministry, and this past twelve months has seen some dramatic moments.
First, on September 10, 2021, Saint Nicholas led the commemoration of the Twentieth Anniversary of 9/11 by lighting up with its signature nighttime glow for the first time. This will be a feature of every evening to come, once the all the installations are complete.
Second, His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew opened the Doors of the Shrine in a special service on the Thirtieth Anniversary of his Enthronement on the See of Constantinople, November 2, 2021 (also the Nameday of our Archbishop). His All Holiness combined this special blessing with the topping off, or better, crowning, if the Shrine with its permanent cross, and he gifted to the Shrine the precious relics of Saint Nicholas in a special reliquary which came all the way from Mount Athos.
Finally, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros presided at the Consecration of the Shrine on the Fourth of July, during the Centennial Clergy Laity Congress. Even though there was work yet to be completed, this allowed for members and delegates of our Archdiocese from around the country to participate in person at this historic event.
I have been privileged to be the Proïstamenos of the Parish during these extraordinary and unique moments. Now, another August has rolled around, which is both a time for worship during the days leading to the Feast of the Dormition, and a time for vacations. But the Saint Nicholas National Shrine is working harder than ever to complete all of the finishing touches that will enable the iconographic installation to commence.
During the coming months, there will be much activity inside and outside the Shrine, as we prepare it to be ready for its full liturgical life. All of the blessing have been received, and I look forward to the active part of the mission, when the Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine at Ground Zero opens to the public, to be a blessing in the lives of all who see the Shrine and pass through its doors.
Faithfully in Christ,
Father Andreas Vithoulkas