Who we are

Welcome to the official digital home of the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Shrine Church. We greet you with the love and peace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Established in 1955, our parish stands as a magnificent witness to the Holy Orthodox Faith in the heart of Flushing, New York. Founded by a generation of faithful stewards who sought to plant the seeds of the Gospel in new soil, St. Nicholas has grown into one of the preeminent centers of Greek Orthodoxy in America.

A defining moment in our history occurred on December 5, 1972, when the holy relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker were brought from Bari, Italy, and permanently enshrined within our sanctuary. On that historic day, His Eminence Archbishop Iakovos elevated our parish to the status of a Shrine Church, making it a destination for pilgrims seeking the intercessions of our patron saint.

Our sanctuary is a vessel of the "unchanging faith," where the timeless Holy Liturgy is celebrated within the embrace of traditional Byzantine architecture and sacred iconography. As a Shrine dedicated to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, our church serves as a spiritual haven for pilgrims and a beacon of hope for the faithful, bridging the rich traditions of our ancestors with the life of the modern world.

Our St. Nicholas parish has a longstanding tradition of education becoming a pioneer in academics for more than three decades. Our George and Evlavia Doulaveris Preschool, William Spyropoulos K-8 Day School and our Stephen and Areti Cherpelis Hellenic Afternoon School provide a strong Christian, Hellenic and academic foundation for our youth.

For seven decades, the mission of St. Nicholas has remained constant: to be a place of prayer, a sanctuary for the sacraments, and a guardian of the Hellenic spirit. Whether you are a lifelong parishioner or a visitor seeking to learn more about the ancient Christian faith, we welcome you to share in the liturgical life and spiritual warmth of our community.

"Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord."

ABOUT GOD
We believe in one God in three Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. He is the loving Creator who is "everywhere present and filling all things," desiring a personal relationship with all people.
ABOUT HUMANITY
Every person is created in the image and likeness of God with infinite worth and dignity. Our purpose is Theosis, the lifelong journey of growing in union with God and reflecting His divine love.
ABOUT SALVATION
Through the Incarnation, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, the power of death has been destroyed. Salvation is a continuous process of healing that restores our nature and grants us eternal life.
ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT & THE CHURCH
The Holy Spirit breathes life into the Church, which serves as the "Body of Christ" on earth. Within this community, we receive God's grace and healing through the Holy Sacraments.
ABOUT THE BIBLE
We honor the Holy Scriptures as the inspired Word of God. The Bible is understood through the lens of Holy Tradition, the collective wisdom of the Apostles and Church Fathers.