Statement on the Falling Asleep of Archbishop Iakovos

April 11, 2005

 

 

 

 

 

His Eminence Archbishop IAKOVOS, 93, spiritual leader of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America from 1959 to 1996, fell asleep in the Lord on April 10, 2005 at Stamford Hospital in Connecticut.

 

 

 

 

 

All of the hierarchs, clergy, and faithful of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of

North America join in mourning the loss of this most special leader of Orthodox Christians in this Hemisphere.  At the same time, we rejoice in the legacy that he leaves to us, and we feel challenged to continue his good work for the Glory of God.  It can be said that his ministry has put Orthodoxy on the map in North America.

 

 

 

 

 

His Eminence Metropolitan PHILIP worked very closely with Archbishop IAKOVOS for many years, and together they were instrumental in the establishment of such important organizations as SCOBA (The Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in America), and the IOCC (International Orthodox Christian Charities).

 

 

 

 

 

In 1995, Metropolitan PHILIP said the following in his commencement address at Holy Cross Seminary,

Brookline, MA:

 

 

 

 

 

“I am indeed delighted to share this podium with my beloved Brother in Christ, Archbishop IAKOVOS, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and

South America.  During the past twenty-nine years, I have had the distinct honor and pleasure of working with him as Vice-Chairman of SCOBA.  Throughout the years, he has lead SCOBA with much patience, wisdom and vision, despite the monumental difficulties which we face.  I do not know of any other Orthodox hierarch who has sacrificed more of his time, energy, and health for our Church in this hemisphere than Archbishop IAKOVOS.”

 

 

 

 

 

Today, His Eminence Metropolitan PHILIP said:

 

 

 

 

 

“The passing of Archbishop IAKOVOS marks the end of an era.  He has left his footprints on the sands of time as he worked tirelessly to develop the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese and her institutions.  He was the much respected and loved dean of the Orthodox clergy, and he was not afraid to fight for the rights of the oppressed in

America and abroad.  Through all of the years that we worked together, we never had a single misunderstanding.  I have lost a very dear brother and friend.  May his memory be ever eternal!”

 

 

 

 

 

It is clear that the words of our Lord apply to His Eminence Archbishop IAKOVOS:

 

 

“Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things.  Enter into the joy of your Lord” (Matthew 25:23).

 

 

 

 

 

May our Lord grant rest to the soul of His servant Archbishop IAKOVOS, and may his memory be eternal!!