An Ode to Archbishop Iakovos: Many Praise his Contributions

Published by The National Herald, April 15, 2005

NEW YORK. – Church leaders, elected officials, leading members of the Greek American community and hundreds of faithful gathered this past Wednesday evening, April 13, at the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in Manhattan to attend a viewing and official Trisagion service for the late Archbishop Iakovos, formerly of North & South America.

His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America and members of the Holy Eparchial Synod presided over the service, which started at 8:10 PM. His Beatitude Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens and all Greece, Metropolitan Kyrillos of Imvros & Tenedos; Archbishop Gregorios of Thyateira & Great Britain; Vice Chairman of the Hellenic Parliament’s Committee for Greeks Abroad (and former Deputy Foreign Minister) Grigoris Niotis, Greek Minister of Macedonia & Thrace Nikos Tsiartsionis, Onassis Public Foundation – USA Executive Director Ambassador Loucas Tsilas, Vice Chairman of the Archdiocesan Council Michael Jaharis, National Philoptochos Society President Georgia Skeadas, National Herald Publisher Antonis Diamataris and George Kokalis, Founding Chairman of the Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Endowment and longtime friend of the deceased Archbishop, were among those present.

Viewing and recitation of prayers for the late Archbishop were held throughout the afternoon in front of Greek as well as non-Greek faithful, who at times chanted and prayed aloud. Archbishop Iakovos’ crowned body lay inside a coffin positioned at the center of solea in front of the sanctuary, with a gilded bible placed on his chest between his arms. Standing guard in front of the coffin at all times were four Evzones – members of the Hellenic Republic’s elite Presidential Guard – and two officers of the New York City Police Department. The faithful walked down the center aisle to the coffin, kissed and bowed to the Archbishop as a final farewell.

Metropolitan Methodios of Boston arrived at 7:30 PM and chanted a short prayer. Ten minutes later, Archbishop Christodoulos entered the Cathedral, followed by Archbishop Demetrios and Rev. Dr. Robert Stephanopoulos, Dean of the Cathedral. The two Archbishops bowed before the late Archbishop, kissing his hands.

The service commenced with Rev. James Moulketis, President of the Archdiocesan Presbyters Council, speaking from the podium. Father Moulketis hailed the late Archbishop’s 37 years at the helm of the Archdiocese, saying that he "forever changed the landscape of the Archdiocese through his unceasing dedication. His commanding presence and voice and his keen vision wonderfully enriched the life of our Church."

Mr. Jaharis, longtime friend of Iakovos and a leading Greek American entrepreneur, spoke next from a "personal perspective… As the church grew, Archbishop Iakovos realized the need for support – not only financial, but also spiritual – and recognized the importance of strong philanthropic efforts." He also noted the late Archbishop’s decisive recognition of the advantages of strong church leadership and administration. "He strongly urged the initiation of Leadership 100," Mr. Jaharis said. "His towering influence on Orthodox Christians in America was extraordinary, and is felt to this day. I will miss him. We will all miss him. May his memory be eternal."

Archbishop Iakovos’ initiatives towards the strengthening of Church organizations were also praised by Mrs. Skeadas, who called the late Archbishop a "distinguished leader." Mrs. Skeadas spoke of Iakovos’ "faith, vigor, devotion and ministry," saying he was "our shepherd, our spiritual father and our teacher. During his tenure as Archbishop, he was a true innovator and a champion for the victims of hunger, poverty, discrimination and war. His Eminence inspired the women of our great organizations to continually strive towards greater service to the Church, and to the needy," she said, adding that Archbishop Iakovos demonstrated "compassion towards human strife and the human condition by initiating programs to alleviate hardship and sadness." Mrs. Skeadas also pointed out the late Archbishop’s "commitment to the wellbeing of children" by initiating educational and other programs. "He fulfilled his responsibilities with sacrifice, commitment, devotion and, above all, love. His example is a beacon of light that shines throughout the Greek Orthodox churches in the Americas, a beacon of light that inspires each and every one of us," she said.

Federation of Hellenic Societies of Greater New York President also spoke to the congregation. "Archbishop Iakovos was both a religious and a national leader of Hellenism and Orthodoxy. For many decades, he was the pillar of the Greek American community, a dynamic, visionary and inspired patriot, who fought relentlessly for Hellenic interests and ideals. He will always be a sou

rce of inspiration for us all in our continuing efforts to disseminate Orthodoxy and preserve our traditions," he said.

Finally addressing the congregation was Archbishop Demetrios. Standing behind the coffin, he spoke of Archbishop Iakovos’ decades of devoted ministry, as also of his final days in the hospital.

"It is hard to speak fittingly of such a great man," Archbishop Demetrios said, recalling "50 years of acquaintance" with his late predecessor’s work and service. "I had the honor of watching him evolve through various stages in his life," he said, citing Iakovos’ days as representative of the Ecumenical Patriarchate to the World Council of Churches in Geneva, Switzerland and his 37 years in charge of the Archdiocese of America.

"He was, until his last day, a man of extraordinary dedication to God, the Church and his flock. The words he used most during the final days of his life on Earth were ‘thank you.’ Thank you to God, and to all those who came to visit him while he was on his hospital bed. And if he could speak now, he would say ‘thank you’ to all of you who are here tonight, to thank you for coming to bid him farewell."

"Another word he often used in his final hours was love. ‘Sas agapo olous (I love all of you),’ he would say, especially on Friday morning (two days before he died), when he decided that God had called him. He was serene, pe

aceful and brave. He remained, to the end, an avatar of faith, serenity and anticipation, not only for the resurrection of the dead, but also for the future of our Church. It is impossible to analyze his contributions in just a few minutes. That would require hours," he added, citing the third chapter in the book of Isaiah, which talks about the characteristics of a spiritual leader. "The description, talks about a spiritual leader as a prudent listener, a wonderful counselor and a wise architect. Archbishop Iakovos was all of that. He listened to everyone, from ordinary people to leaders. That’s why he was well-informed on social, national, political and all other issues. He had his ears open to God and to man."

Archbishop Demetrios then spoke of Iakovos’ "admirable" traits as a counselor, saying he was always prepared to offer his advice on issues of "personal, educational, political, ethnic and religious nature, and on every other level of human activity."

Finally, Demetrios said, Archbishop Iakovos was a "wise architect" who "methodically and carefully built the edifice of our Church in America. He offered his best, and he built for the future. He is now Ambassador for us to God. He is finally with Christ, Whom he always carried in his heart. We shall pray for the repose of his soul among the righteous and the saints," he concluded, chanted along with the congregation "Aionia tou i Mnimi (Eternal be his memory)."

Archbishop Demetrios also thanked the Evzones and the NYPD for their presence at the service, "and all those who had expressed their love through phonecalls and letters to the Archdiocese, as well as members of the press and electronic media here and in Greece" who covered Iakovos’ final days. He then proceeded to mention some of the names of those who were by the late Archbishop’s side until the end, among them Paulette Poulos, Niki Kale, Bishop Andonios of Phasiane and a non-Orthodox woman called Sister Ruth who cared for Iakovos devotedly and wept for his passing.

After the service, Archbishop Christodoulos, who attended the Trisagion service in an observatory capacity, told the National Herald that the reason he came to the United States was to honor Archbishop Iakovos’ contributions to the Church.

"We all recognize that he was a major ecclesiastical figure and personality. At the same time, he was a national leader, a leader of both the Greek American community and the United States. We believe that he was not only a model for all the clergy, but a wonderful father and teacher for all Orthodox believers," he said.

The funeral service for Archbishop Iakovos was held at the Cathedral on Thursday morning as the National herald was going to press.



Volume 7 Number 16 - Tuesday, April 19th, 2005	A Publication of the ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN LAITY