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Greek PM Visits Ground Zero, Saint Nicholas Church

Mitsotakis Ground Zero Saint Nicholas
The Greek Premier visited Ground Zero on Thursday. Credit: PM Press Office

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis visited the 9/11 Memorial at Ground Zero and the Saint Nicholas Church on Thursday, accompanied by his spouse Mareva-Grabowski Mitsotaki.

The Premier, who is in New York for the 77th UN General Assembly meeting, noted that 41 of the 2,977 victims of the 9/11 terrorist attack at the World Trade Centre were Greek Americans.  

Mitsotakis commented that “the battle against terrorism is an endless battle, [and] it is a battle we are obliged as democracies to fight in order to be able to preserve our way of life and to continue to function in open and democratic societies like those we have worked so hard to build.”

Mitsotakis Ground Zero Saint Nicholas
The Greek flag and a rose were placed at the Ground Zero memorial next to the name of Greek-American victim Danielle Kousoulis. Credit: PM Press Office

Nearly three thousand people died in the attacks on September 11th, when international extremism hit home in a way it previously hadn’t for many Americans.

Mitsotakis Visits Saint Nicholas Church

Mitsotakis Ground Zero Saint Nicholas
The Greek PM was given a tour of the Saint Nicholas Church by Archibishop Elpidophoros. Credit: Greek PM Press Office

The Premier then was given a tour of the Saint Nicholas Church at the site, where construction is ongoing, by the Archbishop Elpidophoros of America.

The Greek Orthodox church, which was the only place of worship to be destroyed in the attacks, took shape once again next to the World Trade Center Memorial Plaza. The translucent walls of its new dome are lit up from inside at night and glow like a marble beacon of light.

Named after the patron saint of sailors, the church was the first stopping point for many Greek immigrants after they left Ellis Island.

Mitsotakis Ground Zero Saint Nicholas
Inside the Saint Nicholas Church. Credit: PM Press Office

Designed by renowned architect Santiago Calatrava, it replaced the tiny church that was crushed by the World Trade Center’s South Tower.

The new church gave Greek Orthodox believers a place to worship while also welcoming visitors of any faith who would like to reflect on the lives lost in the terrorist attacks and pay homage to their memory.

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