New York commemorates the terrorist attacks of September 11th in the church, which was completely rebuilt after the attacks
September 11th marked the end of the largest terrorist attacks in modern history 22 years. In New York, a church became a symbol of the city’s reconstruction.
The day horror gripped New York, churchgoers lost the place where they gathered to seek faith. A Orthodox Church of Saint Nicholas It was founded in 1916 by the first Greek immigrants who came to New York during World War I. It was destroyed on September 11, 2001 at 9:59 a.m. when the south tower of the World Trade Center fell almost a century of history ended in a few seconds.
The new project, opened in December 2022, was signed by Santiago Calatrava. The Spanish architect also designed the converted train station on the site. From the church door, the view of the World Trade Center is impressive and the memories of September 11, 2001 continue inside, through the paintings that pay homage to the heroes and victims of that tragic day.
1 of 2 The new project for the Orthodox Church of Saint Nicholas, opened in December 2022, was signed by Santiago Calatrava Photo: Jornal Nacional/ Reproduction The new project for the Orthodox Church of Saint Nicholas, opened in December 2022, was signed by Santiago Calatrava Photo : Jornal Nacional/ Reproduction
The art mixes passages from the Bible with events from 22 years ago. In one of the works, firefighters and police officers who were on duty on September 11th can be seen next to Jesus Christ. On the opposite side, the painting shows Saint Nicholas, patron saint of travelers, receiving sacrifices in heaven. Below is the picture of the old church and the burning Twin Towers. And in the middle, at the top of the altar, the Virgin Mary blesses the current New York skyline.
All the marble used came from Greece. Part of it is the same type used to build the Acropolis in Athens nearly 2,500 years ago a gift from the Greek government.
Reconstruction was slow; took more than 20 years. Bureaucracy and high costs delayed the work. The new church cost the equivalent of approx R$418 million Amount paid by volunteers like Michael.
“This was the only church destroyed in the September 11 attacks, and today it is the only one standing on land owned by the United States government,” he says.
Four hundred people visit the church every day. Father Andreas explains:
“The church is open to all people of all religions. “It is a place of hope, a beacon to the whole world that a better future is ahead,” he says.
This Monday (11) the 22nd anniversary of the terrorist attacks was celebrated with a ceremony and the first September 11th was celebrated with the return of the church.
“For a long time I thought that this date would only have a negative impact on my life. But when the church was finished, that changed. The tragedy gave way to hope and love,” says Father Andreas.
2 of 2 The new project for the Orthodox Church of Saint Nicholas Photo: Jornal Nacional/ Reproduction The new project for the Orthodox Church of Saint Nicholas Photo: Jornal Nacional/ Reproduction