New York City, the symbol of the American Dream, has opened its arms to all since its inception in 1614. What was once a small Dutch trading post, quickly grew into a living, breathing city of many cultures and religions. The boom and bust cycles of commerce facilitated bold ideas. When there was no space to construct buildings on the crowded island of Manhattan, city planners decided to build upwards, towards the heavens. Starting in the late 19th century, a competition ensued to see which corporation could build the largest skyscraper. The Flat Iron Building, Park Row, the Woolworth Building, and even the Empire State Building, were landmarks that immigrants saw as they entered the United States for the first time. In 1971, New York City, once again, proved its strength to build to the heavens and its involvement in global economics upon completion of two of the tallest buildings in the world at that time: The Twin Towers. These buildings formed the heart of the World Trade Center Complex. On the fateful morning of September 11, 2001, the city’s rhythmic beat came to a screeching halt. Terrorists flew two commercial planes, with civilians on board, into the Twin Towers. Within less than two hours, nearly three thousand people would be dead. On this day, the world stopped.
On September 11, St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church acted as a guardian angel after the towers were hit. Only after the South Tower collapsed and emergency services were en route, was the church destroyed. Within the darkness of destruction God’s light shines the brightest. According to Psalm 34:7, “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.” He ensured that the civilians killed, regardless of their nationality, race, and religion, would rise to Heaven. The spirits of individuals are skyscrapers. Even after its destruction, the church lived on. A common misinterpretation is that a church is simply an edifice. However, a church is its parishioners. While in Jerusalem, Jesus only needed an audience to deliver his sermons, not a church nor a pulpit. In 1916, it was the followers of orthodoxy including Greek sailors and factory workers that created a place of worship where the word of God could be spoken freely. The church provided refuge from the stresses of the bustling city life outside of its walls. The building, itself, gave parishioners and visitors a place to pray. Annually, the parishioners continue to celebrate the Feast Day of St. Nicholas where the church once stood.
God has not forsaken the rubble where the church once laid. As in Matthew 18:20, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” When people gather in the name of God, the welcoming spirit of the Greek Orthodox Church can rise from the rubble once again. Just as Jesus rose on the third day according to the scriptures, a new church will rise again between the skyscrapers reaching towards the heavens. Father Evagoras Constantinides describes the new church to be built as a “resurrection.” The new St. Nicholas National Shrine will characterize Eastern Orthodoxy in the modern world. The doors of the shrine will be open to all, regardless of religion. The white exterior and interior of the church depict purity and safety; the characteristics on an angel. Before Jesus ascended to the right hand of the Father, he told Peter “on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it” (Matthew 16:18). In my opinion, this rock can never be broken.
New York City, the symbol of the American Dream, has opened its arms to all since its inception in 1614. What was once a small Dutch trading post, quickly grew into a living, breathing city of many cultures and religions. The boom and bust cycles of commerce facilitated bold ideas. When there was no space to construct buildings on the crowded island of Manhattan, city planners decided to build upwards, towards the heavens. Starting in the late 19th century, a competition ensued to see which corporation could build the largest skyscraper. The Flat Iron Building, Park Row, the Woolworth Building, and even the Empire State Building, were landmarks that immigrants saw as they entered the United States for the first time. In 1971, New York City, once again, proved its strength to build to the heavens and its involvement in global economics upon completion of two of the tallest buildings in the world at that time: The Twin Towers. These buildings formed the heart of the World Trade Center Complex. On the fateful morning of September 11, 2001, the city’s rhythmic beat came to a screeching halt. Terrorists flew two commercial planes, with civilians on board, into the Twin Towers. Within less than two hours, nearly three thousand people would be dead. On this day, the world stopped.
On September 11, St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church acted as a guardian angel after the towers were hit. Only after the South Tower collapsed and emergency services were en route, was the church destroyed. Within the darkness of destruction God’s light shines the brightest. According to Psalm 34:7, “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.” He ensured that the civilians killed, regardless of their nationality, race, and religion, would rise to Heaven. The spirits of individuals are skyscrapers. Even after its destruction, the church lived on. A common misinterpretation is that a church is simply an edifice. However, a church is its parishioners. While in Jerusalem, Jesus only needed an audience to deliver his sermons, not a church nor a pulpit. In 1916, it was the followers of orthodoxy including Greek sailors and factory workers that created a place of worship where the word of God could be spoken freely. The church provided refuge from the stresses of the bustling city life outside of its walls. The building, itself, gave parishioners and visitors a place to pray. Annually, the parishioners continue to celebrate the Feast Day of St. Nicholas where the church once stood.
God has not forsaken the rubble where the church once laid. As in Matthew 18:20, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” When people gather in the name of God, the welcoming spirit of the Greek Orthodox Church can rise from the rubble once again. Just as Jesus rose on the third day according to the scriptures, a new church will rise again between the skyscrapers reaching towards the heavens. Father Evagoras Constantinides describes the new church to be built as a “resurrection.” The new St. Nicholas National Shrine will characterize Eastern Orthodoxy in the modern world. The doors of the shrine will be open to all, regardless of religion. The white exterior and interior of the church depict purity and safety; the characteristics on an angel. Before Jesus ascended to the right hand of the Father, he told Peter “on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it” (Matthew 16:18). In my opinion, this rock can never be broken.