Message from Father Andreas Vithoulkas
Proïstamenos and Archiepiscopal Vicar of the Saint Nicholas National Shrine
***
The Consecration of Saint Nicholas and Beyond
Dear Friends
The Consecration of the Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine on the Fourth of July was an amazing and moving moment for our Church. With the Archbishop and the Metropolitans of Detroit and Pittsburgh leading the Service, and Protopresbyter Alexander Karloutsos having pride of place as the leading Priest of the service, the crowds of Faithful from the Clergy Laity Congress brough a spirit of high anticipation to the Consecration. The presence of so many Hierarchs – including former Archbishops Spyridon and Demetrios added to celebration.
I want to make a special mention of George Gigicos and Andrew Veniopoulos who coordinated both the Great Vespers and the Consecration – it truly was a seamless event for our Church. We also were able to show the Faithful many of the gifts that have been made to the Shrine, which were displayed in the Narthex during the service. The most outstanding was certainly the set of Altar brocades which were gifted to Saint Nicholas by His Beatitude, Patriarch Porfirije of Serbia.
Now that the Consecration is complete, and so many from around the country were able to be present, the final phase of finishing the interior is underway. With all of the supply chain issues, not all of the marble for the Nave and Narthex had arrived from Greece. In the next 60 days, we expect the remaining pieces to be installed and then we can commence finishing the iconographic program of the Church. Fr. Loukas had come to the US to install some of the iconography before the Consecration, and he will return when the scaffolding is installed in the Fall to complete the iconographic program. Of note, all the Icons have been painted on Mount Athos at the monastery of Xenophontou.
When the installation project is complete, the Shrine will open to the public and commence regular services. We look forward to welcoming you to this extraordinary Witness of Faith, Hope, and Love at the rebuilt World Trade Center.
Faithfully in Christ,