Greek Independence Day Parade was Tribute to Archbishop Iakovos

Published by The National Herald, April 15, 2005

Greek Independence Day Parade was Tribute to Archbishop Iakovos

NEW YORK – Last Sunday’s Greek Independence Day Parade turned out to be the Greek American community’s farewell to Archbishop Iakovos, said Parade 2005 Committee Chairman Dino Rallis, speaking at the Federation of Hellenic Society’s Stathakion Center in Astoria a few hours after news of Iakovos’ death started permeating the community.

"He is an unforgettable and immortal hero," Mr. Rallis told the National Herald.

Parade Committee Vice Chairman Tassos Manesis cited Iakovos’ contributions to organizing a large 1974 demonstration in Washington to protest the Turkish invasion of Cyprus.

The Federation’s traditional post-Parade cultural event, held annually at the Stathakion Center, was expected to feature dance and music; it was instead turned into a memorial event in honor of the late Archbishop, who died at 6 PM on April 10, just moments after the Parade concluded in Manhattan.

"Instead of a victory lap after a successful parade, we have a duty to honor Iakovos," said Chairman of the Hellenic Parliament’s Special Permanent Committee on Hellenism Abroad Evgenios Haitidis, clearly moved. "Joy and sadness seem juxtaposed today," he added. "Iakovos was a saint, and not only for Greeks."

As to the Parade’s success, Mr. Haitidis cited that Fifth Avenue was filled with "almost 100,000 people, while 25,000 marched," adding that the Greek American community "is the ark of our national and Orthodox legacy."

The Parliamentary Committee’s Vice Chairman (and former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs) Grigoris Niotis said, "Archbishop Iakovos "chose to wait for the Parade to end, before he passed away. He left his beloved family, the Greek American Omogeneia, and he couldn’t help but leave on such a beautiful and symbolic day."

On such days, Mr. Niotis added, "Archbishop Iakovos was an inspiration to us all. The community must cease celebrations now until the funeral. We must escort him to his resting place in quietude."

Mr. Niotis also said that those who had criticized Iakovos in the past "must now be remorseful. Who doesn’t recognize what a great church leader he was? Greece will honor him accordingly."

Member of Parliament for Chalkidiki and New Democracy Secretariat for Hellenism Abroad Vasilis Pappas told the Herald that Iakovos’ passing cast a long shadow on the Parade’s success: "His death is a great loss for Greece, and for Hellenism in the Diaspora. Greek Americans are keenly aware of the loss. He was not only a church leader, but also a political one. He was a great figure, a man with an international appeal. Many generations grew up with Archbishop Iakovos. He kept Hellenism at a high level and fought for our national interests. He should be honored accordingly."



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