Georgeanne Mavrovitis, on behalf of the Holy Trinity Theater Group, presented a check for over $5,000 to our Dance Troupe director Nick Gregory for the acquisition of authentic Greek folk costumes (from various regions of Greece) for the dancers to dress in while performing. The proceeds were raised during the recent Taverna Night.
Fr. Nick attended the Archdiocesan Council Meeting held in Pittsburgh and is sharing this announcement:
UPDATE ON ST. NICHOLAS INVESTIGATION – PHASE 1 PRELIMINARY FINDINGS ANNOUNCED AT ARCHDIOCESAN COUNCIL
PITTSBURGH – On May 4, 2018, Elaine Allen, Chairman of the Standing Audit Committee of the Archdiocesan Council, of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, announced the substantial completion of Phase 1 of the St. Nicholas Special Investigative Committee’ s (SIC) investigation into the management and finances of the St. Nicholas Church and National Shrine project. The SIC has received PricewaterhouseCoopers’ (PwC) Phase 1 draft report and is expected to announce its findings to the Executive Committee of the Archdiocesan Council imminently.
Among key findings from Phase 1, the amount owed by the Archdiocese to St. Nicholas has been confirmed to be less than $3.7 million, with the exact dollar figure to be finalized in the coming weeks. Moreover, the review found that all other monies raised to fund the St. Nicholas project are accounted for, and that the expenditure of these funds was consistent with donor restrictions.
As a result of the aggressive financial restructuring efforts undertaken by the Archdiocese over the last year, led by Treasurer Mike Psaros, the Archdiocese has already repaid $1million of the pending total amount it owes to St. Nicholas, and will voluntarily pay interest on the full amount owed to the project. The Archdiocese will also make a voluntary contribution of $670,000 to St. Nicholas. This amount represents the full amount of unrestricted investment returns generated on donations from 2001 – 2012.
Finally, Ms. Allen announced that the Archdiocese will repay its debt to St. Nicholas with interest. The amount of the interest payment will be confirmed following the SIC’s completion of the findings report, which will include the finalized amount owed by the Archdiocese to St. Nicholas.
Phase 2 of the SIC’s investigation is also being conducted by PwC. The work is ongoing and includes a review of the St. Nicholas project’s baseline costs and cost increases, a review of design changes, and an analysis of vendor payments with the goal of identifying potential non-disclosed relationships between the St. Nicholas project management team and vendors paid with St. Nicholas funds. The SIC’s findings report is expected to complete within one month.
Immediately following the completion of Phase 2, Phase 3 of the SIC’s investigation will begin. It will largely be a project management and design exercise intended to finalize construction plans, costs, and a revised timeline for completion of the project.
The SIC is committed to completing its comprehensive and exhaustive investigation into mismanagement allegations around the St. Nicholas project, and to addressing all issues potentially raised in this investigation before construction proceeds.
The St. Nicholas Church will be a sacred space with its doors open to all. As a National Shrine on hallowed ground, it will stand in memorial to the lives lost on September 11, 2001, as a symbol of reconciliation, and as a spiritual beacon of hope and for generations to come. The Archdiocese remains committed to the completion of this deeply meaningful landmark and spiritual capstone to the World Trade Center site redevelopment effort.
Holy Trinity Dance Troupe performing at the annual Theater Group Taverna Nite held in the social hall on Saturday evening.
Fr. Nick offered the invocation at the annual HOPE Gala in New Rochelle on Thursday, April 26th. Joining Fr. Nick at the gala were Dino Yotides, parish council president and Chrissa Skeadas and Eve Lefes.
Out parish marched with pride on Fifth Avenue in New York to celebrate Greek Independence Day at the annual parade. This year our dance troupe performed live on our local channel 9 that televised the parade. Local news personalities Ernie Anastos, Nick Gregory and Mike Woods joined our troupe in traditional Greek dancing.
The Holy Trinity Theater Group presents the Greek Taverna Night, to benefit the Holy Trinity Dance Group.
Saturday, April 28, 2018
7 PM - 11 PM
Mezedakia, Wine, Desserts, and Dancing
General Admission: $50
Students & Seniors: $25
Choreographer: $250 (Includes 4 tickets and mention in program)
Dancer: $150 (includes 2 tickets and mention in program)
Please make checks payable to Holy Trinity Theater Group, 10 Mill Road, New Rochelle, NY 10804
onderful Vesper Service of the Resurrection. The Gospel was read in several languages including Greek, English, Spanish, Latin, French, German, Russian and Luo. The service ended with a procession of the Resurrection Icon and the distribution of red and chocolate eggs (and Easter egg hunt, too).
