A Publication of the ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN LAITY
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| Volume 6 Number 18 - Tuesday, May 4th, 2004 |
A Publication of the ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN LAITY |
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The Orthodox Christian News Service |
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A Recovering Iakovos Speaks His Mind
BOSTON - Former Archbishop of North and South America Iakovos, who is recovering from a mild stroke he suffered last week, is still spry enough to comment on the events and issues that concern the Greek American community. From his Connecticut hospital room, Archbishop Iakovos shared his thoughts on his health, the Cyprus referendum, and the recent lawsuit against the Archdiocese by the Orthodox Christian Laity. Following is the entire interview. NH: How are you feeling, Your Eminence? IAKOVOS: I thank God for this recent trial, which has ended. My doctor will decide on Tuesday if I will be discharged or to stay for several more weeks in the hospital. I give glory to God because as St. Paul said, “the power of God is completed through weakness.” I suffered a mild stroke in my left foot, which will take some time to recover completely. But I thank God for the good health He is providing me and am also grateful to the people who took time to care for me and express their well wishes. NH: That’s because the Greek American community loves you. You served it for so many years. IAKOVOS: I served the Greek American community since 1937 with love and care for its social, religious, and ethnic advancement. I did what I could with all my strength and even my shortcomings. I am grateful to God for all great and good things He does through people. Great is the grace of God. NH: Do you have a particular message for our community? IAKOVOS: Besides my heartfelt thanks to all those who offered prayers on my behalf, I send a message of love, as well as an appeal for all of us to remain steadfast in our traditional, ecclesiastical, and ethnic matters until God calls us. I ask God’s forgiveness for my own mistakes as well as for yours—if you happened to have made any. NH: Do you love everyone, Your Eminence? IAKOVOS: I love all with all my heart. I do not discriminate among the people of God who were good to me throughout my priestly and archbishopric ministry. I forgive all who might have caused me any bitterness, and I ask the same from those whom I might have done wrong. NH: What are your thoughts on the Greek Cypriots “no” vote in the recent referendum on the “Annan Plan”? IAKOVOS: In light of the current international political climate, it would have been better if they had voted “yes.” The “no” vote went against what the world had expected for Cyprus. NH: What would you say to those 34 Greek Americans who are suing the Archdiocese and Archbishop Demetrios? IAKOVOS: I appeal to them to find their way again. At some point they lost their way or proceeded down other paths. I don’t think they did the right thing. It is time for them to reconsider their acts, their thoughts, and their entire stance. The Church is our mother and no one can accuse or sue his mother. God is our father. I think the suit was a mistake. It was a mistake that can be cured, and there is still time for reconsideration. I hope and urge all of us to return to the armful of our mother Church. NH: Are you saying they should stop the suit?
IAKOVOS:
I am telling them that these actions are
incorrect, and incorrect actions should be
stopped. |
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