READING, PA – The St. Xenia Philoptochos Society of Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Reading, PA had a goal: to raise $100 per member – approximately $11,500 – for the rebuilding of the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church at Ground Zero. Chapter President Despina Denne happily announced to TNH that thanks to a Benefit Concert held on April 26, over $20,000 has been raised – and the fundraising effort will continue throughout the rest of the year.
The event, titled the St. Nicholas National Shrine Benefit Concert, took place at the Miller Center for the Arts of Reading Area Community College (RACC), organized by a committee of 20 led by co-chairs Denne, Ann Kraras, and Sharon Whitman. The concert featured internationally-acclaimed artists Maria Asteriadou (pianist) and her husband, Kurt Nikkanen (violinist), who both graduated from the prestigious Juilliard School.
The Greek-born Dr. Asteriadou teaches at both the Manhattan School of Music and Kutztown University, Denne told TNH. She has received numerous awards, including first prize at the Maria Callas International Piano Competition.
Nikkanen is the Concertmaster with the New York City Ballet Orchestra and maintains a private teaching studio in New York City, Denne added. He began playing violin at age 3 and made his Carnegie Hall debut at 12. The duo performed an extraordinary musical “journey through time,” which included compositions by Johann Sebastian Bach, Franz Schubert, Yannis Constantinidis, and George Gershwin. The event ended with a catered “Meet the Artists” reception.
The rebuilt church will be known as the Saint Nicholas National Shrine at Ground Zero, and will be visited by the millions every year who come to see the September 11 memorial.
Additional donations may be made payable to “Philoptochos Society” and sent to:
Sts. Constantine & Helen Church
Attn: St. Nicholas Shrine
1001 E. Wyomissing Blvd.
Reading, PA 19611
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