Demetrios: Church of St. Nicholas to Be Rebuilt; Says Rebuilding of the Church Is Unquestionable

Even though the Greek Orthodox Church of St. Nicholas -- completely destroyed by the Twin Towers' collapse in Manhattan on September 11, 2001 -- is not included in the overall reconstruction plan for the region, it will be "built again, it will constitute a world symbol of prayer and will be open for all people," Archbishop Demetrios of America said on September 11, 2011.

He emphasized that "the final decision will be made in the current year," in stressing that the rebuilding of the church is unquestionable, according to the Orthodox Church Info blog.

Last February, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America submitted a lawsuit against the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey -- which is responsible for the development of the location -- because its new director revised the initial decision, projecting "various excuses" to prevent the church from being built, according to Archbishop Demetrios.

On Sunday's 10th anniversary of September 11, His Eminence noted that "it permanently and irrevocably marked life, not only here in New York, in America, but on a global level."