Archbishop Christodoulos’ Eulogy for Archbishop Iakovos

Published by The National Herald, April 21, 2005

His Beatitude Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens and All Greece delivered a moving eulogy in Greek during the funeral for the late Archbishop Iakovos at the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in Manhattan last Friday, April 15. The translated text of that eulogy is published below:

A great and unique leader of Orthodoxy and Hellenism; an unshaken and tenacious fighter of the good for the entire world; a zealous standard bearer of the concept of peace; an inspired visionary for the unity of the Churches; a genuine Greek patriot and conscientious trustee of Greek Orthodox traditions on this great American continent; a nostalgic fighter of freedom; a heroic protector of human rights; a true philosopher of the truth and human concerns; the deceased who lies here in front of us, Archbishop Iakovos, formerly of North & South America is not alive anymore.

"We are not going to mourn the one who has departed," St. Gregory the Theologian teaches us, "because it is better where he has gone." But we are going to honor him because this is an "obligation above any just obligation." We are going to cry because his tremendous ministerial accomplishments oblige us to stand in front of him, crying for him and marveling at him. We are crying, on the one hand, because we are going to miss his physical presence; we are marveling, on the other hand, at the magnitude of his work as spiritual father and shepherd, and as a fearless Hellenic warrior for the just causes of the Greek American community and the mother country of Greece, for the rights of every human person.

From the time he was a young theologian, putting on the venerable priestly cloth, until the twilight of his old age – when, like an olive tree full of fruit, he was deemed worthy to see his spiritual grandchildren as newly-planted olive branches around his table – this consciousness of duty was the force directing the entire life, thought and activity of Archbishop Iakovos. Those of you who are present here today, as well as the entire Omogeneia, knew him as your Archbishop, with his firm, unwavering hand and eagle-like countenance, his indomitable courage and his endless desire to fight on all levels as a genuine Greek Orthodox hierarch and leader.

He tried with all his might to project the Omogeneia and support the values of Christianity. Today, the Omogeneia enjoys distinction in this great and hospitable country.

Archbishop Iakovos had a consciousness that very few have among the Greek Orthodox hierarchy, beyond the realm of pastoral stewardship and guidance. He had the responsibility of preserving Hellenism in our souls. He disregarded the voices of those who claim that a hierarch should not concern himself with the advancement of Hellenism. He listened to those who were asking him to limit himself strictly to his ecclesiastical duties, and not to place too much emphasis on the schools, language, ethnic consciousness, roots and the history of our nation. He listened, but he did not obey.

Archbishop Iakovos believed that the Greek consciousness should be kept alive, despite the passing of the immigrant generations, because he believed that people secure their essential survival not by the abandonment of their ethnic, spiritual and cultural origins, but through constant contact with the roots of their fatherland; and not to be prevented from adapting to new societies, in which they have chosen not only to live, but also to achieve great success. He believed that the Church is the greatest element of ethnic self-consciousness and unity, the connecting link and the unifying force for all of us. He fought to secure this unity. He worked day and night for our nation and mobilized the forces of the Church to protect the nation, regardless of which party was in power.

Archbishop Iakovos found himself fighting alone many times. This is often the destiny of all decent and genuine soldiers.

Although all of us were expecting his biological end the past few weeks, today no one wants to accept the fact that Archbishop Iakovos is not with us any more. You all had him as your father and shepherd for many years, but we also, from Greece, who also held him as an exemplar of integrity and dynamism, can not compromise with this sad reality. He has departed from our midst, but those of us who believe in the Resurrection maintain that he lives in the country of the blessed spirits, "awaiting the resurrection of the dead." He sees us, and urges us from Heaven, to continue our own struggle; to complete the cycle of his visions; to broaden the chambers of our hearts; to synchronize our pulse with the rhythms of our history; to excel, and to show ourselves to be much better than we are presently.

The Church of Greece, which I represent, bows in front of this casket in which the body of Archbishop Iakovos is resting. The Church of Greece bows in front of a man who proved to be victorious over circumstances, and we, more than anybody else, honored his identity as spiritual father and ethnic gladiator.

Unforgotten Archbishop Iakovos. History has already recorded your important life. You successfully led the greatest and the most valuable Greek Orthodox element of the Greek Diaspora. You honored, as a citizen and religious leader, this great American Democracy. You honored Greece. Hellenism is not mourning, because you existed. Orthodoxy is not mourning, because you served its unified vision with unshaken faith. You have been a brave, keenly perceptive and dignified supporter of ethnic ideals.

Know that the love of Greek people everywhere on Earth and the gratitude of our nation accompany you.

I personally felt your candid and unconditional support, for which I thank you publicly. The Church of Greece, all the hierarchs, clergy and laity, bow before your holy body. Let the Cross and daphne and glorious myrtle, respect and love, honor and recognition, accompany you on your way to join the angels.



Volume 7 Number 17 - Tuesday, April 26th, 2005	A Publication of the ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN LAITY