Archbishop Iakovos, Great Statesman of the Church, Dies at 93

Published by The National Herald, April 15, 2005

Archdiocese calls for observance of mourning period

BOSTON – Archbishop Iakovos, 93, spiritual leader of Greek Orthodox Christians in the Western Hemisphere from 1959 to 1996, passed away on Sunday, April 10, at 6 PM at the Stamford Hospital in Connecticut from an pulmonary ailment. His death occurred shortly after the Greek Independence Day Parades in New York and Boston.

At his bedside were his closest coworkers and longtime confidantes, Paulette Poulos, Niki Kale and Bishop Andonios of Fassiane.

Archbishop Iakovos’ funeral service was scheduled to take place at the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New York on Thursday, April 14, with Archbishop Demetrios of America officiating, along with members of the Holy Eparchial Synod of America.

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople had designated Archbishop Gregorios of Thyatira & Great Britain and Metropolitan Kyrillos of Imvros & Tenedos to represent him.

Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens and All Greece was also scheduled to attend the funeral in New York, as well as the burial at Holy Cross Theological School in Brookline, Massachusetts behind the holy sanctuary of Holy Cross Chapel, near Metropolitan Silas of New Jersey and Bishop Gerasimos of Avydos.

News of Archbishop Iakovos’ passing traveled quickly throughout the country. Archbishop Demetrios was on his way to the hospital on Sunday evening to visit him after the New York City Parade when he heard the news.

While Archbishop Iakovos was still on his hospital bed, Archbishop Demetrios chanted a Memorial Trisagion and read the special prayer for the departure of a Bishop.

Archbishop Iakovos was waked at Holy Trinity Cathedral on Tuesday evening and all day Wednesday. After the funeral service, his body was scheduled to be transported to Brookline for burial on Friday morning.

"Replete with sentiments of sincere grief," the Ecumenical Patriarchate issued a statement referring to Iakovos as a "genuine bearer of the spirit of martyrdom of the Ecumenical Throne." Excerpts from the text of the Patriarchate’s statement follow:

"This man who, like an oak tree that offered its shade to the devout flock of the Greek Orthodox community in America… gained international recognition and became a vehicle through which the centuries-long tradition of the Orthodox spirit was expressed in the New World… Archbishop Iakovos, was a genuine bearer of the spirit of martyrdom of the Ecumenical Throne… He was the spiritual leader of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America for 37 consecutive years, and through the authority of his personality, by words and deeds, he advanced the faith and culture of the Nation. He made sure that Orthodoxy was accorded her due respect every time he represented the Mother Church in meetings with religious and political persons, and he enjoyed the esteem and respect of all… The blessed soul of our revered elder and most precious member of our Ecumenical Patriarchate is already in the hands of the Lord. We fervently pray for the repose of his soul and for his worthiness to behold the face of the Great High Priest, our Lord Jesus Christ. We also express our condolences to the most devout flock of the Holy Archdiocese of America, which sincerely and deeply loved this Hierarch of blessed memory."

In his statement, Archbishop Demetrios said the Archdiocese would observe a mourning period of nine days from the time of Iakovos’ death, and called for the suspension of all non-liturgical functions throughout the Archdiocese:

"As we mourn his departure, we remember a servant of God whose example of courage and inspiration greatly influenced both our Church and our nation. For 37 years, Archbishop Iakovos guided the Greek Orthodox faithful and parishes throughout the Americas in a continuous growth of ministry and witness. He promoted and solidified the unity of our Archdiocese by establishing new national programs that continue to offer service and resources in the name of Christ. Certainly the vitality of our Church today is a fitting honor to his lifetime of service, and for this we give thanks to God. Archbishop Iakovos was a believer in the uniting and healing power of the love of God. Throughout his ministry he brought together people of faith, establishing helpful dialogues with the Roman Catholic, Protestant, and Jewish communities. He was also sensitive to the truth that God created humankind in His own image and likeness. He vigorously supported Civil Rights legislation, and he marched with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Selma, Alabama in 1965, affirming the necessity of equality for all Americans. His commitment to human rights and religious freedom was demonstrated by his response to the needs of Greek Cypriot refugees following the invasion of Cyprus in 1974 and by his leadership in supporting our beloved Ecumenical Patriarchate in Constantinople. He was an ecumenical leader, a friend of presidents, and a tremendous contributor to the global witness of our Orthodox faith," Demetrios said.

"These are only a few examples of the legacy of faith and service that Archbishop Iakovos has given to us, a legacy that will be remembered for many generations to come. It is in honor of his life and leadership that our Archdiocese will officially observe a period of mourning for nine days from April 10, the day of his passing. During this time I ask that our parishes suspend all non-liturgical functions. Each parish of our Archdiocese should conduct Trisagion services for the repose of Archbishop Iakovos. On the day of his funeral, all of our parochial schools should conduct a Trisagion service at 9 AM, and all parishes are instructed to ring their bells in a solemn mode from 11 AM until 1 PM. As we faithfully complete the Great Fast and prepare our souls for the glorious feast of Pascha, may we remember and honor Archbishop Iakovos for his many years of service and his faithfulness to God and His Church. May his memory be eternal," Demetrios added.

Metropolitan Methodios of Boston, who served as Archbishop Iakovos’ Deacon, told the National Herald that Archbishop Iakovos was "born to lead," noting that an important chapter in the life of the Church in America had drawn to a close.

"The death of Archbishop Iakovos brings to an end a significant chapter in the history of Orthodoxy in America and the western hemisphere. He was truly a unique individual, an icon of the ineffable glory of God. He was well educated, extremely intelligent, charismatic, visionary and pastoral. He was born to lead. I believe he was the last of the great ecclesiastical figures of the 21st Century who ‘let his light to shine among men that they saw his good works and glorified our Father Who is in Heaven (Matthew 5.15).’ Like his other deacons, I had the opportunity to accompany him throughout the world. What impressed me was his ability to relate to heads of state with the same ease as when he embraced ordinary people, young and old alike – especially little children in parishes throughout North and South America," Methodios said.

Michael Jaharis, Vice Chairman of the Archdiocesan Council, told the Herald Archbishop Iakovos’ legacy left a monumental mark on the history of the Church in America.

"Archbishop Iakovos had a caring influence and made a tremendous impact on the Church which still is felt today. I met him in the 1980’s, and obviously, his stature and his presence struck me immediately. He and I used to speak often about Orthodoxy, which I feel is inextricably intertwined with Hellenism, and I consequently feel that the two had an important place not only as a Church community, but also as a culture in the United States, a country whose background has been influenced by Christianity and Hellenic Culture. The substance of our discussions obviously are reflected in our Leadership 100 Endowment which was, as you know, established under Archbishop Iakovos to enhance Orthodoxy and Hellenism. I was with him when he visited many important people in this country. He was very warm individual, and he had a deep and lasting influence on my family," Mr. Jaharis said.

In reference to an article published by the New York Times on April 12 (see page 14), in which the thorny issues of Ligonier and the alleged disagreement between Archbishop Iakovos and the Ecumenical Patriarchate were raised, Mr. Jaharis said, "Both Archbishop Iakovos and the Patriarch had the same objectives in unifying the Orthodox Church in the United States. The only difference was their approach to achieve that objective, and that is the sad part that most people do not understand."

Church leaders were not the only ones to express their condolences. United States Senators Paul Sarbanes of Maryland and Olympia Snowe of Maine, both Greek Americans, also reached out to the community about the loss of its longtime spiritual father.

Senator Sarbanes credited Iakovos for helping the United States’ Hellenic community enter the American mainstream.

"I am deeply saddened by the passing of Archbishop Iakovos, who led the Greek Orthodox Church during a period of great transition and challenge in our country. His leadership helped us to preserve our religious beliefs and institutions while, at the same time, broadening our participation in all aspects of our Nation’s life. He challenged us to face many of the moral and religious issues of our day directly by speaking out forcefully on them. He stood strongly against racial injustice… and for freedom of conscience throughout the world. And he was equally vigorous in seeking to rectify the tragic injustice from the 1974 invasion of Cyprus. Archbishop Iakovos’ 37-year tenure as the leader of the Greek Orthodox Church in the Americas was marked by a period of great growth in our church. Deeply respected by people throughout this country, he projected Greek Orthodoxy as a vital force in the life of the United States and this hemisphere, and he leaves behind a legacy that continues to guide the Church and all of us today," he said.

Senator Snowe said Archbishop Iakovos was a "bright light in the spiritual life" of America’s Greek Orthodox believers, and cited her memories of him as a young girl.

"From leading the Greek Orthodox Church in the Western Hemisphere to marching shoulder to shoulder with Martin Luther King for civil rights, Archbishop Iakovos served God and humankind with grace and inspiring conviction… From some of my earliest memories, I vividly recall His Eminence’s visits to St. Basil’s Academy in New York, where I attended school as a young girl. I was astounded that such an important man would spend so much time, care so deeply, and show such loving concern for young children like me… He would forever be a major figure on the landscape of my life… For decades, the Archbishop was a bright light in the spiritual life of millions of Greek Orthodox followers in North and South America. With his wisdom, piety and enlightened leadership, he touched the hearts of generations of Greeks. Moreover, he always ensured that issues of importance to Greek Americans and Greeks around the world have gotten the attention they deserve. We owe him an unending debt of gratitude, and he will be profoundly missed by us all," she said.

"I was deeply saddened to hear about the loss of His Eminence Archbishop Iakovos. I join all Greek Orthodox faithful in mourning the passing of this dynamic spiritual leader. Archbishop Iakovos will be remembered as one of the great figures of Orthodoxy who, for 37 years, led the Greek Orthodox Church in America with great distinction. Throughout his life, His Eminence exemplified an unwavering dedication and steadfast commitment to promoting Christian unity and advocating for civil rights… As we mourn the loss of Archbishop Iakovos, we will remember this beloved and admirable leader’s strength, courage and commitment to God," the Governor said.

Iakovos was enthroned Archbishop of North & South America on April 1, 1959 at Holy Trinity Cathedral in New York City, ushering in a new era for Greek Orthodoxy in America. He was the first Archbishop to be selected from the ranks of American clergy.

Dean of all religious leaders in the United States when he retired at the age of 85 on July 29, 1996, Archbishop Iakovos’ 37 years of service were distinguished by his leadership in furthering religious unity, revitalizing Christian worship and championing human and civil rights.

Known throughout the world as a crusader in the modern ecumenical movement for Christian Unity, Archbishop Iakovos served as president of the World Council of Churches for nine years, established dialogues with Roman Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran and Southern Baptist Church leaders; initiated Orthodox Dialogue with Judaism; and was the first Greek Orthodox Bishop to visit a Roman Catholic Pontiff in more than four centuries when Pope John XXIII received him at the Vatican in 1959. In a successful effort to promote closer ties among Orthodox jurisdictions, he founded the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA) in 1960.

"Ecumenism is the hope for international understanding; for humanitarian allegiance; for true peace based on justice and dignity; and for God’s continued presence and involvement in modern history," he often said.

A champion of civil and human rights, he was captured on the cover of LIFE magazine on March 26, 1965, walking hand in hand with Dr. Martin Luther King in Selma, Alabama, eyes fixed on the dream of equality for all Americas. He vigorously supported the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights legislation, exclaiming "Glory to the Most High. May this mark the beginning of a new age for all humankind, an era when the Word of God charts and guides our lives" when the first bill was passed.

In the international arena he spoke out forcefully against the violation of human rights and religious freedom and, in 1974, initiated a massive campaign to assist Greek Cypriot refugees following the invasion of Cyprus by Turkish armed forces. He opposed the war in Vietnam, while supporting the right of Israelis for peace and secure boundaries, as well as the rights of the Palestinians for a just and humane resolution of their claims.

Friend to nine Presidents, and religious and political leaders worldwide, Archbishop Iakovos was the recipient of honorary degrees from some 40 colleges and universities. He was cited by both Houses of Congress, which paid him official tribute in the Congressional Record in 1979.

He was the recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Nation’s highest civilian honor, bestowed by President Jimmy Carter on June 9, 1980. In 1986, he was awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor and was cited by the Academy of Athens, the National Conference of Christians and Jews and the Appeal of Conscience, among others.

On June 6, 2001, he was honored by Harvard Divinity School as Alumnae Day recipient of the Rabbi Martin Katzenstein Award, established in 1979 to recognize a Divinity School graduate who exhibits "a passionate and helpful interest in the lives of other people; an informed and realistic faithfulness; an embodiment of the idea that love is not so much a feeling as a way of acting; and a reliable sense of humor."

A United States citizen since 1950, Archbishop Iakovos was an admirable role model for American Greek Orthodox Christians, thoroughly committed to the vital democracy of his adopted country, without forfeiting the ageless values of Greek culture or abandoning Greek Orthodoxy’s spiritual and ecclesiastical roots in the Church of Constantinople.

Commenting on Orthodoxy in America, he once said "our Church, without ceasing to be ethnically rooted in Greece and religiously in the Ecumenical Patriarchate, must believe that America is the place where God intended it to grow… and that it has an obligation, without compromising in matters of faith, to adapt itself to the existing conditions."

Born Demetrios Coucouzis on the Island of Imvros in present-day Turkey on July 29, 1911 to Maria and Athanasios Coucouzis, he had two sisters Virginia and Chrysanthi and a brother Panagiotis. At age 15, he enrolled in the Patriarchal Theological School at Halki. After graduating with high honors, Demetrios was ordained Deacon in 1934, taking the ecclesiastical name Iakovos. Five years after his ordination, Deacon Iakovos received an invitation to serve as Archdeacon to the late Archbishop Athenagoras, then of North & South America, who later became Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople (1949-72).

Ordained to the priesthood in 1940 in Lowell, Massachusetts, he served at St. George Church in Hartford, Connecticut while teaching and serving as assistant dean of the Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Theological School, then in Pomfret, Connecticut and now in Brookline. In 1941, he was named Preacher at Holy Trinity Cathedral in New York City, and in the summer of 1942, he served as temporary Dean of St. Nicholas Church in St. Louis, Missouri. He was appointed Dean of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Boston in 1942 and remained there until 1954. In 1945 he earned a Master’s of Sacred Theology Degree from Harvard University.

In 1954, he was ordained Bishop of Melita by his spiritual father and mentor, Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras, for whom he served four years as personal representative of the Patriarchate to the World Council of Churches in Geneva, during which time he was elevated to the rank of Metropolitan. On February 14, 1959, the Holy & Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate elected Metropolitan Iakovos as successor to Archbishop Michael, who died on July 15, 1958, as Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in the Americas, assuming responsibility for what has grown to over 550 parishes in the United States.

Archbishop Iakovos improved parish organization; upgraded the role of the Archdiocesan Council, the Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress, the Ladies Philoptochos Society and the Orthodox Observer; introduced new Archdiocesan departments, including Youth Ministry, and encouraged the expansion of St. Michael’s Home for Aged and St. Basil’s Academy. He founded the Major Gifts program for the Archdiocese, today entitled the Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Endowment Fund, which asks Greek Orthodox faithful to commit themselves to offer $100,000 to the Church over a ten-year period to maintain and enhance the ministries of the Church.

As a former faculty member, and later Dean, of Holy Cross School of Theology, His Eminence had a special appreciation for learning within both the family and parish, and also at the level of higher education for Greek Orthodox youth and seminarians. The Archbishop guided the reorganization of Holy Cross into an institution fully accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in America. He conceived, and brought to fruition, Hellenic College, an undergraduate school which functions in connection with Holy Cross.

Most importantly, even in retirement, Archbishop Iakovos remained a committed and caring pastor to a whole generation of Greek Americans who’s hard work, determination and pride in their religious and cultural heritage he embodied. In the words of St. Paul: He fought the good fight. He finished the race. He kept the faith.



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