Church destroyed in 9/11 celebrates reopening 21 years later: 'Symbol of peace and love'

'The Friends of St. Nicholas' chairman Michael Psaros discussed the consecration and reopening of the church 21 years after it was destroyed in 9/11

MICHAEL PSAROS: We consecrated the church on July the Fourth for a very important reason because the Saint Nicholas National Shrine celebrates the American values of religious freedom and stands as a defined symbol to the forces of religious intolerance around the world, and on that horrific day 21 years ago, when all of Ground Zero was destroyed, a small Greek Orthodox Church was destroyed along with it, and that destruction was caused by an act of religious fanaticism and hatred. In response, we have built not just the church but New York's only national shrine, and it was built as a symbol of peace and love in response to the act of violence and hatred. We are so proud. We are going to open on November the first and the National Shrine is open to people of all faiths, of all nationalities. And I invite America in the world on our behalf to please come visit after November 1st.