Twenty-one years after it was destroyed in the 9/11 attacks, Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine at the World Trade Center reopened to the public Tuesday, December 6, a symbolic day for Orthodox Christians who celebrate the Feast Day of St. Nicholas, after whom the church is named.
Parishioners attended vesper services inside the new church on the evening before the feast day of Saint Nicholas.
See the first vessel services here, which were officiated by Bishop Apostolos of Medeia.
The church was destroyed when the South Tower collapsed on September 11, 2001. Two decades later, following years f disputes, financial scandals and delays, a brand new church has been rebuilt.
Made from Greek marble and decorated with ornaments iconography, upwards of $80 million was raised to complete the complicated structure, which glows at night.
The shrine will be open to the public for tours daily and will be a fully functioning parish of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.
