WASHINGTON (AHEPA) - The American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA), a leading association for the nation's three million American citizens of Greek heritage, and Philhellenes, praised an agreement reached today between the Port Authority of New York/New Jersey and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America regarding the rebuilding of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, which was destroyed in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, announced Supreme President Dr. John Grossomanides. According to a statement issued October 14, 2011 by the Port Authority, St. Nicholas will be rebuilt at 130 Liberty Street.

"This agreement marks a historic moment for the Greek American community, which worked so diligently and with great passion to cut the red tape of bureaucracy and clear a path for St. Nicholas to be rebuilt," Dr. Grossomanides said. "We are grateful for the efforts of Governor Andrew Cuomo, His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, and the local, state, and federal officials past and present who shared our voice. We also commend all parties for coming together to reach an agreement that ends a decade of frustration and begins a future of revitalized hope that St. Nicholas will provide to all Americans."

In support of the effort to rebuild St. Nicholas at 130 Liberty Street, a site chosen by the Port Authority, AHEPA held a Ground Zero rally on June 26, 2011. The organization also submitted more than 20,000 signatures collected via electronic petition to Port Authority Executive Director Christopher Ward that went unanswered.