St. Nicholas Has His Own National Shrine And You Need to Visit
Today, we are doing something we have never done before: We are visiting a place that is not Catholic per se but is quite possibly one of the most incredible places in the country to make a pilgrimage.
Before we visit this unforgettable place, let us highlight a great saint whose Feast Day is coming up on December 6th: St. Nicholas of Myra.
St. Nicholas - arguably one of the most famous saints in the Catholic Church - was a 4th-century bishop from the region of Lycia in modern-day Turkey. He became known for his generosity, especially toward the poor, and for performing miracles during his lifetime. One of the most famous stories associated with him is his secret gift of gold to a family in need, which later inspired the tradition of gift-giving associated with his feast.
St. Nicholas attended the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, where he defended orthodox Christian teachings against Arianism. He passed away on December 6th, 343 AD, though there are no detailed records of how he died. He was buried in Myra, where his tomb became a pilgrimage site.
While we are not highlighting his tomb in Myra, we will showcase the Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine in New York City.
Initially founded in 1916, the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church was the only house of worship destroyed during the 9/11 attacks but has since been rebuilt as a "place of pilgrimage for our Nation."
While you cannot celebrate Catholic mass at the Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, you are still invited to come in and see this beautiful place of worship, which houses the awe-inspiring “Icon of the Virgin Mary Embracing New York City.”
The image of the Theotokos stands tall over the cityscape, offering a powerful visual of Mary, Mother of God, watching over New York City.
When you visit, take some time to look at the intricate detail in the Icon - you may recognize a few of the buildings!
