NEW YORK (5/22/2017) – His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America visited yesterday, Sunday May 21, 2017, the fire-ravaged Greek Orthodox Church of the Transfiguration of Christ in Corona, NY. Earlier in the morning, the Archbishop had celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the morning at the nearby Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Jackson Heights, NY.A destructive fire swiftly consumed much of the interior of the Transfiguration Church early in the afternoon last Friday, May 19. The cause of the fire is still unknown.

The Archbishop accompanied by the parish priest Fr. George Anastasiou, members of the parish council and the local philoptochos and the Council General of Cyprus Ambassador Vasilis Philippou observed and assessed the destruction and loss all around the church. The Holy Cross of Christ inside the altar and some sacred items on the holy altar table have miraculously survived the fire.

Photos from the visit and the destruction: https://flic.kr/s/aHsm17wGyW