Death Comes to Archbishop Iakovos (1911-2005)

Published by Orthodox Christian Laity, April 13, 2005

Primate of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese (1959-1996)

Orthodox Christian Laity Celebrates his Vision and mourns the loss of what could have been!

The over 5,000 members, supporters, friends and benefactors of Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL) join the faithful throughout North and South America who are remembering the remarkable life and ministry of Archbishop Iakovos who served as primate of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese for 37 years and who was respected as the Dean of the American Clergy until his forced retirement in 1996. Some attribute this action by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople to the fact that Iakovos co-hosted the first meeting of all canonical Orthodox Bishops at Ligonier, Pennsylvania, December, 1994, and the Patriarchate feared that a unified Orthodox Christian Church in America was being planned. The bishops issued two pronouncements on the state of the Church in the New World and on Mission and Evangelism. Also of great significance was that they came together for the first time, and they agreed to meet annually as an Episcopal Assembly.

Lee Kopulos, President of OCL and a member of the Orthodox Church in America, issued the following statement on the repose of Archbishop Iakovos: “The historic meeting of all of the bishops at Ligonier, Pennsylvania in 1994 was the highpoint of Archbishop Iakovos’ long tenure and many accomplishments as Primate of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese. Archbishop Iakovos had the charisma, the following, and the intellectual and spiritual understanding to lead the Orthodox in North and South America into a united Church. He had the vision but was prevented from realizing his dream by the Ecumenical Patriarchate."

“The road to unity will now have to be led by the senior prelates of the other jurisdictions. I feel he must have been sad to see the work that he accomplished, undone by his retirement. We mourn what could have been! May his memory be eternal,” concluded Kopulos.

The years following the “retirement” of Archbishop Iakovos have been filled with turmoil within the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese. The Archdiocese has been dismembered by the Patriarchate, and the present Archbishop in effect serves as the chairman of the local synod without the ability to unite the Archdiocese, let alone all of American Orthodoxy. The Archdiocese has fallen victim to the age-old game of divide and conquer. The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese under the supervision of the Patriarchate is in disarray. It has moved backwards towards an ethnic church stressing Greek Culture and the use of the Greek Language rather than carrying out Christ’s Great Commission.

In contrast, we note that during the Iakovos years, because of the force of his personality and intellectual and spiritual attributes - and his vision - Orthodoxy found its voice in America. Deeply respected by both religious and political leaders in the United States, he was able to speak out for religious unity throughout the land. He revitalized the liturgy with the use of English. He championed human and civil rights. He had the courage to walk hand in hand with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Selma, Alabama, a historic moment for America which was captured on the cover of LIFE Magazine on March 26, 1965. OCL and its members and friends celebrate his vision and accomplishments!

The Archbishop relied upon and sought the advice of the laity within the church and especially the many dedicated men and women who made up the Archdiocesan Council and Philoptochos Society. We especially pay tribute to Peter Kourides who was his close confidant and trusted advisor and served as pro bono legal counsel during the 37-year tenure of Archbishop Iakovos, providing him with direct input. His many loyal advisors did not always tell him what he wanted to hear. They knew what was good for their children and grandchildren and looked toward the future. They engaged and exchanged ideas with Archbishop Iakovos. OCL extends its sympathy to all those who were dedicated to the good order of the Church and worked in synergy with the Archbishop.

We also extend our sympathy to Paulette Poulos who served as Archbishop Iakovos’s secretary through the last fifteen years of his tenure and throughout his retirement.



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