On Monday, June 26, 2023, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Kevin McCarthy, made a historic visit to the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine at the World Trade Center in New York.
Speaker McCarthy is the most senior government official to visit the St. Nicholas National Shrine since its official opening on December 6, 2022. Speaker McCarthy was given a tour of Liberty Park and the newly constructed Church.
The St. Nicholas National Shrine is a cenotaph that honors the memory of the 3,000 people who tragically lost their lives on September 11th, 2001 and stands as an eternal witness to the lives lost and a reminder of where and how they perished. The National Shrine is also a powerful symbol of America’s commitment to religious freedom and a defiant symbol of American opposition to the forces or religious intolerance around the world.
Speaker McCarthy was greeted by Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient Fr. Alex Karloutsos, and Chancellor of the Archdiocesan District Fr. Elias Villis, who represented Archbishop Elpidophoros of America; Chairman of the Friends of Saint Nicholas, Michael Psaros; Archepiscopal Vicar of St. Nicholas Church and National Shrine Fr. Andreas Vithoulkas; president of the parish Demetri Papacostas; and Head of Capital Construction of the Port Authority of NY and NJ, Steven Plate.
The St. Nicholas National Shrine is open to the public from 10 am to 3 pm every day, except Tuesday, and is attracting thousands of visitors from around the world.
Source: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Photos: Jillian Nelson
