Today is a sober day of reflection for all Americans. As time goes by there is a natural tendency to forget events and their impact.  September 11th. should not be one of those days. We mourn the loss of so many of our fellow citizens both on that day and those that have succumb to injuries from that day. We should never forget those who perished in the infernal fires and the first responders whose courage we marveled at on that day. 

For us Orthodox Christians the day has additional significance because we lost the humble and historic church of St, Nicholas, destroyed that day. The reconstruction of St Nicholas Church has been a long time coming. It now appears that with the leadership of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros and the generosity of many of our fellow Orthodox believers that St. Nicholas Church and National Shrine is being erected once again. We can be truly grateful to Our Lord for this blessing.

Today, I would ask you all to set aside a moment or two to remember those who sacrificed their lives and the many families that have been impacted as a result of this tragedy. 

O Lord comfort those who morn and give them your joy and

Healing!

O God of spirits and of all flesh, You trampled upon death

and abolished the power of the devil, giving life to Your world.

Give rest to the souls of Your departed servants in a place 

of light, in a place of green pasture, in a place of refreshment, 

from where pain, sorrow, and sighing have fled away. As a 

good and loving God, forgive every sin they have committed 

in word, deed, or thought, for there is no one who lives and 

does not sin. You alone are without sin. Your righteousness 

is an everlasting righteousness, and Your word is truth.

For You are the resurrection, the life, and the repose of Your 

departed servant, Christ our God, and to You we offer glory, 

with Your eternal Father who is without beginning and Your

all-holy, good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever 

and to the ages of ages.  AMEN.

May their Memory be Eternal!

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