On September 11, 2001, we lost our beloved St. Nicholas - a landmark church that was a spiritual refuge for everyone from Greek sailors to Wall Street Traders.
Nearly 3,000 people died when terrorists flew two hijacked airplanes into the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. Among the victims were also 33 Greek - Americans. Archbishop Demetrios will preside a Memorial Service at the Holy Trinity Cathedral, attended by relatives of the victims, as well as many others. Later in the day, after attending a White House Service of Remembrance for September 11th at St. Paul’s Chapel at Ground Zero, Archbishop Demetrios will proceed to the site of the destroyed St. Nicholas Church, for a Memorial Service for the victims’ families and survivors. On September 11, 2001 the barbaric attack not only destroyed the majestic Twin Towers but also the tiny yet historic St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, located south of the second tower of the World Trade Center. In the aftermath of its destruction, very little survived: two icons, one of St. Dionysios of Zakynthos and the other of the Zoodochos Pege, along with a few liturgical items, a book, and some candles. Following its collapse, the legacy of this tiny Church continues to dramatically impact peoples’ lives, and donations of almost $2 million have been received, as well as additional pledges of construction materials and appointments for the complete rebuilding of the Church. The city of Bari, Italy, where the relics of St. Nicholas were originally bestowed, has donated $250,000. The government of Greece has contributed $750,000 to these efforts, and the Ecumenical Patriarchate has given $50,000.
III. AHEPA Remembers 9/11
Today, on the eighth anniversary of September 11th, we remember the nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks against our nation. Our thoughts and prayers are with them and their families. They will never be forgotten. We salute the heroes of that fateful day, emergency-responder and civilian alike, who bravely came to aid of countless individuals in need.
As America pauses to remember the victims of the 9-11 attacks in 2001, the only American not on Planet Earth that horrific day spoke eloquently of the shock and pain of witnessing from above. "Tears don't flow in space," Commander Frank Culbertson, then-commander of the International Space Station's Expedition 3 crew, said. "It's difficult to describe how it feels to be the only American completely off the planet at a time such as this," Culbertson told ground controllers. As the tragedy unfolded, Culbertson learned that a friend of his had been flying Flight 93 when its heroic crew and passengers forced its early crash in Pennsylvania, diverting it from another attack in Washington, D.C. Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon. Culbertson spoke poignantly of exhaustion and a sense of isolation. He kept reporting their observations, including a "haze" over Washington, D.C., and the "odd bloom" of the smoke rising from the Twin Towers.
Around this time of the year the apocalyptic events of 9/11 always return to the forefront of American minds. Novak Djokovic showed that the significance of this week (the 8th anniversary of the atrocities) was far from lost on him by inviting many children of 9/11 victims to share his player's box for his quarter-final against Fernando Verdasco. It was an unprecedented gesture and showed a side of Djokovic that few have seen before. Such a popular character back in 2007 when his hilarious impressions and general joie de vive entertained hordes of spectators and fellow players alike but his star has fallen spectacularly since then. Last year at Flushing Meadows, Djokovic became public enemy no 1 for a few days when he criticised the Arthur Ashe crowd after beating Andy Roddick in the quarters. Now in the past fortnight, Djokovic has become popular again. His take off of John McEnroe earlier in the week endeared him to the viewing public and this latest gesture will do so even more. Djokovic insists that it's far more than just a publicity stunt to boost his image. He has his own experiences of growing up in the midst of civil war in Belgrade and he seems to genuinely want to bring some happiness to those most affected by 9/11. "I hope the gesture means something to them," he said. "I know what it feels like and I am just trying to bring some smiles and make them enjoy."
A memorial service to commemorate the victims of the 9/11 attacks on the US has been held at the Church of St. Catherine the Great Martyr in Moscow. The US Ambassador to Russia, John Beyrle, gave an emotional speech. He said people, for the sake of their children, should join forces to build a world in which terrorists would not be able to justify their actions or to find refuge. "The United States remembers how after those attacks, people were bringing flowers, icons and toys to its embassies all over the world, including in Moscow," Beyrle said. People in all countries denounced the September 11 attacks, as well as the Beslan and Nord Ost tragedies, he added. "This fight against terrorism involves those who believe in tolerance and love and those who are on the side of hatred and fear," the American ambassador said. Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, speaking at the sixth session of the Valdai Discussion Club, said Russia mourns the victims of September 11 attacks, “just as we did back in 2001.” “We mourn the victims of the September 11 attacks, just as we did back in 2001. Like no other country, Russia knows what a terrorist act is like. On September 3, we too commemorated those killed in terror attacks in Russia,” he said. “It’s yet another reminder that we have to put aside any differences and join forces in the face of common challenges,” Putin added.
On the eighth anniversary of the attacks, politicians and other political types are taking to Twitter to share their memories of the September 11, 2001 terrorist strikes that destroyed the World Trade Center and parts of the Pentagon. Islamic terrorists aboard United Flight 93 were also thwarted from hitting their target by passengers on board. the plane crashed into a field near Shanksville, Pa. This morning, President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama observed a moment of silence on the South Lawn at 8:46, the time when American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the World Trade Center's North Tower. The president will also attend a wreath laying ceremony at the Pentagon memorial later today. The tweets below are the most up-to-date compilation of 9/11 tweets. More of them are sure to flow in as they day goes. Here are the tweets...:
VIII. 9/11/09: Who's Winning?
Every commemoration of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 reveals our confusion. Eight years after 9-11, we are still asking ourselves too many questions, and in those questions are embedded the reasons the war has gone on so long. Who is this enemy and why do they want to harm us, many ask. If you can’t define the enemy, you cannot defeat him. Where are we this year in the confrontation with the forces that caused us harm and want to defeat us? Are we making progress in the war against the “terror forces;” are we far from victory; how much more sacrifice will it cost us to get to the other side? On this 9/11, it is important for the public to realize where history stands, from a very high altitude. More important is transparency. The American people needs to be informed accurately as to what are the options if it wants to pursue the struggle or if it wants to ignore it at their peril. The rest is details.
He may have eluded justice and the long reach of the world's most powerful military force; his followers may (and probably will) strike again at some point in the future, near or distant; but history's verdict on Osama bin Laden has been in for some time, now: Al-Qaeda failed. Bin Laden may have
imagined that 9/11 would anoint him the head of a resurgent Caliphate in the
making, but instead it has reduced him, and his movement, to a life of
duck-and-cover in Pakistan's wild frontier — and a political address otherwise known as oblivion. History marches on without them.