FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PRESS RELEASE

Saint Nicholas National Shrine Tops $95M in Fundraising, With an Additional $55M Since January 2020
Non-Profit Organization Has Raised $8.5M in the Past Two Months, Including Twenty-Five $100K Donations
New York, NY – June 2, 2021 – His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros met with The Friends of St. Nicholas, the non-profit organization formed to complete the construction of the Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine. At the meeting, it was revealed that recent vigorous donation activity has brought the total of the fundraising on behalf of the Shrine to $95 million. Funding has accelerated over the past year, with $55 million raised since January 2020 and $8.5 million in the past two months alone. Twenty-five of those recent donors each contributed $100,000. Responding to this extraordinary news, the Archbishop said: "As a community, we can be very proud of the generosity and commitment of the benefactors and supporters of Saint Nicholas. Even in the midst of the pandemic, Greek Orthodox leaders came together from across America to resurrect the Shrine. Now the finish line is within our grasp as we approach two poignant and important milestones. This September 11, 2021, marks the 20th Anniversary of 9/11, and we are preparing to welcome the Ecumenical Patriarch for the dedicatory Thyranoixia on November 2, 2021, the 30th Anniversary of the Enthronement of His All Holiness."
In a statement issued by The Friends of St. Nicholas, Chairman Dennis Mehiel and Vice-Chairman Michael Psaros, along with Vice-Chair of the Archdiocesan Council and Board member of the Friends of St. Nicholas, John Catsimatidis, they said:
"Our gratitude to our fellow Board members and those who have had the vision to stand with the Shrine is truly inexpressible. The embrace of this sacred responsibility to rebuild the only house of worship destroyed on 9/11 will be a legacy that endures for centuries. With the leadership of Archbishop Elpidophoros, and the guidance of Father Alexander Karloutsos, we have raised an additional $55 million since January 2020 — and we did it during a pandemic. This is the stable and enduring foundation for Saint Nicholas."
Construction on the National Shrine continues, and the exterior is expected to be completed by September 11, 2021. The Church will open completely in the Spring of 2022.

AHEPA District 20 fundraising project

"Upon this rock I will rebuild my church"

District 20 Governor Wynn Storton, presents check to Archbishop Demetrios at the 2015 Supreme Convention.

Thank you for the contributions

Mary and Robert Pascale, NYC
Brother Nick Edwards
Brother Peter Koulos 
Brother Nick Latkovick
Brother Robert Sexton PSG
Sister Carol Stathopoulos

$1,000.00 Chapter 152 Los Angeles, CA

$1,000.00* Chapter 219 Pheonix, AZ

$1,000.00** Chapter 223 San Diego, CA

$1,000.00 Chapter 233 San Pedro, CA

$1,000.00** Chapter 243 Santa Barbara, CA

$3,450.00 Chapter 275 Tucson, AZ

$1,000.00 Chapter 302 San Bernardino, CA

$250.00** Chapter 314 Las Vegas, NV

$1,000.00** Chapter 318 Hollywood, CA

$1,250.00** Chapter 342 Long Beach, CA

$1,000.00 Chapter 373 Pasadena, CA

$1,495.00 Chapter 411 Anaheim, CA

$1,000.00 Chapter 412 San Fernando, CA

$1058.95** Chapter 426 Redondo Beach, CA

$1,000.00 Chapter 454 Chandler, AZ

$1,000.00** Chapter 527 Orange Coast, CA

$1,145.00** Chapter 528 Palm Desert, CA

$6,085.00* District 20 Pin sales and Donations

*through pin sales

** Donated some or all directly to national

Total contribution for District 20 was $36,500 in total, 18 Chapters in District 20 participated.

Additional $3,500.00 donated from raffle of guitar donated by Guild Guitars for Chris Hillman
Winner of guitar Brother Bill Lambripoulas PDG, District 20, Chapter 411
June 25, 2016

 

Why isn't the Port Authority of NewYork/New Jersey building the Shrine?

The Port Authority of New York/New Jersey has constructed the underground infrastructure and foundation along with the necessary security measures needed for a property located at Ground Zero.

How much is needed to build the Saint Nicholas National Shrine?

Estimates are $38 million.

What is the goal of AHEPA's fundraising campaign for Saint Nicholas National
Shrine?

To contribute at least $500,000 toward the construction of the Saint Nicholas National Shrine.

What is the timeline for AHEPA's fundraising campaign?

It will be a two-year campaign culminating with a lump-sum donation in the fall of 2016.

How much is AHEPA asking its districts/chapters to contribute?

For chapters: a minimum of $1,000 over the two-year campaign drive. For districts: a minimum of $5,000 over the two yearcampaign.

To what entity do I make my District 20 check donation payable?

Program ended, but donations can be made to: https://stnicholaswtc.org/