I have fought the good fight,

I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

2 TIMOTHY 4:7

B2

Born
Demetrios
Coucouzis

e was born in 1911 to Maria

and Athanasios Coucouzis,
on the remote Aegean island
of Imvros that, at the time, was
politically Ottoman, but spiritually, emotionally, ethnically and culturally Greek.
These factors, plus an exceptionally
devout mother, and strong spiritual and
educational guidance set the course young
Demetrios Coucouzis took that eventually
guided him to the leadership of the Greek
Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South
America.
He had two sisters, Virginia and
Chrysanthi and a brother, Panagiotis. All
predeceased him. He is survived by relatives in Montreal and Greece.
While still a child, Demetrios felt
Jesus call.
In a dream, Jesus beckoned Coucouzis to follow him.

MAY 2005

He enrolled at age 15 in the Ecumenical Patriarchal Theological School

at Halki.
As he passed through his teens and
early twenties he completed several years
of theological studies, then became a
preacher and Sunday school teacher in
the largest village of Imvros.
He had great success in drawing many
adults and children to church, but ran
afoul of the Turkish authorities. A policeman took young Demetrios to the local
police station where he was told never
again to teach religion in the church on the
grounds that he was teaching the Greek
people to be disloyal to Turkey.
Longing for freedom, he set his hopes
on leaving Turkey and studying abroad.
The Sorbonne was his preference.
But the Metropolitan Bishop Iakovos
of Derkon, former dean at Halki seminary
who was to become his spiritual advisor
over the next 60 years, heard of the encounter and offered him a position as a
preacher and archdeacon in his diocese.
He accepted the Metropolitans offer and was ordained a deacon on Nov.
25, 1934, taking the ecclesiastical name
Iakovos.
Afterwards, he received his masters
degree in theology from Halki and, in
1939, went to America to serve as Archbishop Athenagoras archdeacon.
From that time, he began his association with Holy Cross Theological School,
serving on the faculty from 1939-47, and
briefly as director in 1954.
After his ordination at Holy Trinity
Church in Lowell, Mass., on June 16, 1940,
he was assigned as pastor of St. George
Church in Hartford, Conn. (1940-41),
as preacher at Holy Trinity Cathedral in
New York (1941-42); and as pastor of St.
Nicholas Church in St. Louis (1942), before becoming dean of Bostons Annunciation Cathedral (1942-54). Along the way,
he earned a masters in sacred theology
from Harvard in 1945.
Fr. Coucouzis was elected Bishop of
Melita on Dec. 17, 1954, and was elevated
to Metropolitan rank on April 4, 1956, and
served as Patriarch Athenagoras personal
representative to the World Council of
Churches.
His election as Archbishop of the
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese took place
Feb. 14, 1959.
In addition to that title, he has held
numerous other ecclesiastical positions
during his tenure, among them co-president of the World Council of Churches
(1959-68), vice president of the National
Council of Churches Triennium (196769), vice president of Religion in American
Life, and others. His Eminence also has
received numerous awards from many
organizations and institutions.

International Religious Leader

Newly ordained Deacon, November 25, 1934.

A dynamic participant in the contemporary ecumenical movement for

Christian unity, he served for nine years
as president of the World Council of
Churches, and piloted Inter-Orthodox,
Inter-Christian and Inter-Religious dialogues. 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, His Eminence said, is
the hope for international understanding,
for humanitarian allegiance, for true peace
based on justice and dignity, and for Gods
continued presence and involvement in
modern history.
He was the recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nations highest civilian honor, bestowed by President
Jimmy Carter on June 9, 1980.

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 in 1979 by
both Houses of Congress and paid official
tribute in the Congressional Record.
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.

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.
Deeply respected by all religious lead-

He writes to his parents from Halki on April 4,

1932: To my most respected parents to reassure them I will always be with them, since I
never feel them afar. Their Demetrios.

ers in the United States when he retired at

the age of 85 on July 29,1996, Archbishop
Iakovos offered 37 years of service which
were distinguished by his leadership in
furthering religious unity, revitalizing
Christian worship and championing human and civil rights. He had the courage
to walk hand in hand with Dr. Martin
Luther King, Jr. in Selma, Ala., a historic
moment for America, which was captured
on the cover of LIFE Magazine on March
26, 1965.
He vigorously supported the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights legislation
exclaiming when the first bill was passed,
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.
Young Demetrios in a traditional
portrait with his father Anastasios
Coucouzis in the 1930s.

B3

MAY 2005

Accomplished Leader
of U.S. Church

A U.S. 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 Orthodoxys spiritual
and ecclesiastical roots in the Church of
Constantinople.
Commenting on Orthodoxy in America, he 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 growand that
it has an obligation, without compromising in matters of faith, to adapt itself to
the existing conditions.
Archbishop Iakovos revitalized several parish organizations, upgraded roles
of the Archdiocesan Council, the Biennial

Memorial donations may be made to:

The Archbishop Iakovos Chair of Orthodox Theology at Hellenic College/Holy
Cross School of Theology. 50 Goddard
Avenue, Brookline, MA 02445.
***
A few pages of a newspaper cannot
begin to do justice to the 37-year ministry of Archbishop Iakovos. However, this
condensed chronology includes some of
the events, actions and progress occurring
during His Eminences tenure that helped
to set the tone for his administration.
Space does not permit us to list every
aspect and accomplishment of his career
the 37 Holy Weeks he officiated at
various New York-area churches, the 37
commencements of Hellenic College-Holy
Cross School of Theology and of St. Basil
Academy where he inspired hundreds of
students to excel in their lives, the consecrations of our current bishops, the
volumes of encyclicals and messages to
the faithful, and other examples.
Undoubtedly, many people throughout the world who have somehow been
touched by the Archbishops ministry carry
their own unique memory that qualifies as
a major event in their life.
We hope the following highlights will
evoke some nostalgic memories among
the Orthodox faithful old enough to have
lived through the entire Iakovos era, and
serve as a primer to younger readers so
they may understand the Archbishops
immense contribution and impact on the
Church in the Americas.

1943: The young priest stands with the Greek Americans of Boston campaigning for the Buy a
Bomber War Bonds to help the WWII effort.

Fr. Iakovos, the dean of Bostons

Annunciation Cathedral offers
a special inaugural blessing for
The Star of Athens, a new TWA
Lockheed Constelation aircraft,
sometime in the the mid-1940s.

Iakovos as a young preacher

Clergy-Laity Congress, the Ladies Philoptochos Society and the Orthodox Observer;
introduced new Archdiocesan departments
including Church and Society, Youth Ministry and encouraged the expansion of St.
Michaels Home for Aged, St. Basil Academy
and St. Photios Shrine.
He founded a major gifts program for
the Archdiocese, today titled the Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Endowment
Fund, which asks Greek Orthodox faithful
to commit them to offer $100,000 to the
Church over a 10-year period to maintain
life-sustaining 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 both within 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 that functions in
connection with Holy Cross.
Most importantly, Archbishop Iakovos
was a committed and caring pastor to a
whole generation of Greek Americans
whos hard work, determination and pride
in their religious and cultural heritage he
embodied. In the words of St. Paul: He
fought a good fight, he finished the course,
and he kept the faith.

Archbishop Iakovos with his predecessor at the throne of the Americas and Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras in Constantinople.

B4

MAY 2005

by Fr. George Poulos

HERE is a conventional phrase that

has transcended the corridors of time that
truly reveals the inevitable truth that history has a tendency to repeat itself.
This is self evident during the first
Golden Age of Christianity when in the
4th century during a miraculous 15-year
period a divine will thrust into a suffering
Christianity not just one but three of the
greatest hierarchs in the glorious history
of Orthodox Christianity.
A triumvirate who worked the will of
God in a synchronous ministry of the faith
of Jesus Christ unparalleled in 2,000 years
of the faith. They were the magnificent St.
Basil the Great, the inimitable St. Gregory
the Theologian and the articulate St. John
Chrysostom.
All born within a 15-year period of
each other and all of whom left an indelible mark on the Christian Faith.
Once again history has repeated itself in the 20th century. They are Patriarch
Athenagoras, Archbishop Athenagoras
Cavadas and, the last of the divine triumvirate, Archbishop Iakovos.
History has truly repeated itself
once again for the preservation and
perpetuation of Greek Orthodoxy in the
Americas.
Patriarch Athenagoras in 1931 as Archbishop in the Americas, came to the new
world to find the Greek Orthodox Church
divided like so many beads of mercury on
a marble floor.
With his magnificent power of love
and persuasion, he unified our Greek
Archdiocese into a vibrant and cohesive
entity in the Americas which still prevails
to this day.
Within this same 15-year-period
there appeared the second spiritual giant
and hierarch of the century, Archbishop
Athenagoras Cavadas, the first dean and
founder of Holy Cross theological school
in Pomfret, Conn., in 1937.
It was through his love, sacrifice and
devotion to the young students of the
fledgling seminary that the Church of
America not only survived but prepared
over 1,000 priests to preserve Orthodoxy
in America.
The third member of this glorious triumvirate within this 15-year-period was
Archbishop Iakovos, the most amazing,
articulate and greatest prelate of Greek
Orthodoxy in the Americas.
It has taken 1,600 years to present
to Orthodoxy this second triumvirate all
within a second 15-year period, a prodigious and miraculous accomplishment for
the Church of Jesus Christ.
It was the hand of God that interceded that has given its final hierarch
Archbishop Iakovos in history as the most
prolific orator, writer, spiritual leader and
guiding light since the Golden Age of the
4th century.
Since his appointment and election
as Archbishop in 1959, his record of accomplishments is unprecedented in the
history of our Church in America.
For decades His Eminence became an
integral part of the ecclesiastical life of our
nation as well as throughout the world.
His name was well known and respected from the Atlantic to the Pacific,
from the chapels of Korea to the basilicas
of Rome, from the mission in Alaska to the
villages of Uganda.
His reputation as a theologian, as an
educator, an administrator and hierarch
is without peer.

Good Night Sweet Prince of the Church

His mere presence among us brought
hope for the future in a world filled with
misunderstanding and despair.
His participation in the ecumenical
movement throughout the world has
brought the various Christian denominations together in anticipation of eventual
unity in the faith.
In recognition of his many outstanding contributions to the enhancement of
the religious life or our nation he has been
justifiably honored by scores of colleges,
universities and other institutions and
organizations.
Many honorary degrees and titles
have been conferred upon him in his lifetime but the title which he cherished most
of all was spiritual leader of his people.
This title he held most dear to his
heart for he truly was a spiritual giant
among men. A man of God, whose primary
purpose in life was to serve his personal
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
With the passing of this ecclesiastical
icon from amongst us, the profusion of
plaudits that will inevitably be accorded
His Eminence in recognition of his 37
years of service as Archbishop of the Americas is the summation of accomplishments
inscribed in a scroll that encompasses
four glorious decades in the annals of the
Greek Orthodox Church.
Having had the privilege to have
known him as a professor at Pomfret, as
dean of the Cathedral of Boston, as dean of
Holy Cross Seminary, as Archbishop of the
Americas and having borne witness to his
stewardship, we can look upon his leadership and thank God for having placed this
noble prelate in our midst.
It was during the years from 1942 to
1954 that this extraordinary talented clergyman gave full expression to his Christian
furor while serving in Boston as dean of
the Cathedral of the Annunciation.
A typical Sunday would find the dynamic dean holding spellbound up to a
thousand children who were bussed from

SELMA, Alabama
April 1965
Archbishop
Iakovos
playfully
walks along
with a 6-year-old
in the black ghettos
accompanied
by Archdiocese
Chancellor
Fr. George
Bacopoulos (left)
and Bishop
John Hines of
-the Episcopal Church

Archbishop Iakovos is being vested for Divine Liturgy with the assistance of Fr. Philotheos (now Bishop
of Meloa) and a young seminarian at the time and now Metropolitan of Boston Methodios

the Boston area who listened in hypnotic

rapture as they were told the stories of
the Faith.
The dean would then commence
the regular service for adults who came
in vast numbers to hear a Liturgy that entranced them as much as their children
had been.
His sonorous voice would vary from
the dulcet to the stentorian.
As the phrase demanded and the true
mystical beauty of the Orthodox Liturgy

was conveyed to a deeply moved parish

with spiritual refreshing vigor that would
never waver Sunday after Sunday for 12
years.
No one stirred when he delivered his
masterful eloquent sermons in a voice
that carried on some heavenly frequency
throughout the Cathedral.
It is said that, even now, just as one
can hear the roar of the ocean by putting his ear to a seashell, one can hear

uuu

B5

MAY 2005

FOURTH ASSEMBLY
of the World Council of
Churches in Uppsala.
July 1968
(from left)
Dr. Helge Ljunberg,
Bishop of Stockholm;
Dr. S. Nababan,
General Secretary
of NCC in Indonesia;
Rev. Dr. Russell Chandran,
Principal of the United
Theological College,
Bangalors, India and
Archbishop Iakovos,
President of the WCC.

uuu
the booming voice of Dean Coucouzes
by pressing his ear against the hallowed
walls of Bostons Cathedral.
His popularity as Americas greatest
Orthodox hierarch was not limited to
these American shores but his reputation as an outstanding hierarch was well
known throughout the world especially in
Greece where its people have continually
offered an outpouring of love and respect
for His Eminence each and every time he
set foot on the sacred soil of this glorious
and ancient land.
They had come to look upon His
Eminence as an ecclesiastical breath of
fresh air to whom they look for inspiration and spiritual guidance. Every visit
of the Archbishop to Greece would have
all the appearances of a national holiday
according to the Greek press, radio and
television stations.
One of his crowning achievements
during his illustrious career has been the
creation of the now famous Ionian Village
in Bartholomio, Greece, in 1970.
Almost single-handedly Archbishop
Iakovos overcame all obstacles both financial and political to bring about the
completion of this amazing complex on
the sparkling shores of the Ionian Sea.
During the past 30 years more than
16,000 Greek American children have attended Ionian Village during the summer
months and have been the recipients of

the rebirth of a proud Hellenic heritage

to which these young people have been
exposed.
They have returned to their homes
better Orthodox Christians and prouder
Hellenes. Generations of Greek Americans
to come will most assuredly benefit from
this prodigious accomplishment of Archbishop Iakovos.
The summation of achievement
strung over 60 years of service to God and
man from an impressive list of credits to
His Eminence that offer the picture of a
man from an impressive list of credits to
the Archbishop that offer a picture of a
man bowed by the weight of medals, but
the unseen medal which now serves to uplift this great man and place him closer to
God is his sincere and gentle humility.
A hierarch cast in the mold of the
Church Fathers, he has walked with kings
and presidents.
Respected throughout the world as
a churchman of the highest order, but at
no time did he lose the common touch
that has endeared him to millions of men,
women and children.
In the light of religious upheavals in
recent years in the scattered sections of
Christianity, particularly in America, the
Greek American community can look back
with pride on the phenomena advancement of Orthodoxy in this country.
Having borne witness to the stewardship of Archbishop Iakovos, we can look
upon his astonishing leadership and thank

SELMA, Ala.,
March 1965
Dr. Martin
Luther King Jr.
carries a wreath
on a march to
the courthouse
for memorial services
for the martyred
Rev. James Reeb.
(L to R)
Archbishop Iakovos,
Dr. King,
Revs. Ralph Abernathy
and Andrew Young.

God for having placed this noble cleric in

our midst.
Of all the churchmen of authority
in this century, Archbishop Iakovos has
been the finest catalyst between clergy
and laity.
She has sought the finest minds to
form Church programs and has endeavored to provide an ever-growing Church
with the finest of priests.
It is a far cry from the humble beginnings 60 years ago of the now legendary
Pomfret seminary to an ancient religion
now recognized as the fourth major
faith.
The 37 years Archbishop Iakovos has
led Orthodoxy , and his overall service to
Jesus Christ of over 60 years as a priest
have been filled with every aspect of the
Christian experience one could expect
form mortal man.
He has cast a giant shadow in Gods
light that he has influenced men from far
afield from his limited scope of authority and his reputation as a most capable
spiritual leader has been known the world
over.
If he has an equal on this continent,
or anywhere else in the world, that equal
has yet to surface from the sea of hierarchs
worthy of the name.

Archbishop Iakovos
with Archdiocese
Staff in 1960.
Pictured with the
Archbishop are
among others:
Mr. & Mrs. Zoustis,
Fr. Haloftis, Jasmine
Mitchell-Mestanas
(right front), Fr.
Kazanas, Despina
Vrahopoulou,
Helen Gialatsotou,
Themis Vassiliou,
Arthur Dore
(Douropoulos),
Roula
Pantazopoulou,
Ernest Villas,
Pierre Pappageorge,
and Mr. Vassiliades.

HOUSTON
Spiro T. Agnew,
vice-president
of the U.S.,
addressed the
delegates of the
21st Clergy-Laity
Congress,
July 6, 1972

Men and women have served, even

died for the Savior more than 20 centuries, with some attaining a near-divinity
that called for sainthood.
Some have served unobtrusively, unnoticed and unknown.
From among them, numberless
monks and clergy.
There have been a rare few who have
served with highest distinction. History
will record that on the sacred scroll of
the rare men of God, there will be clearly
etched the name of Archbishop Iakovos.
Edwin M. Stanton, on the death of
Abraham Lincoln, said, He now belongs
to the ages.
Archbishop Iakovos truly belongs
to the ages. Leaving behind a legacy unparalleled in the history of Orthodoxy in
America.
Good night sweet prince of the
Church.

Fr. Poulos, pastor of Annunciation

Church in Stamford, Conn., has been associated with Archbishop Iakovos for nearly
his entire ministry. As the archbishops biographer, Fr. Poulos authored Breath of
God in 1984.

B6

MAY 2005

Archbishop Iakovos and the Establishment of the OCMC

by Fr. Alexander Veronis

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. Archbishop Iakovos, former head of the Greek Orthodox
Archdiocese of North and South America
from 1959 to 1996, will be remembered
for many achievements during his fruitful
ministry, including his encouragement,
support, and establishment of the Orthodox Christian Mission Center.
His involvement began in 1966 when
Archbishop Iakovos supported a landmark
proposal submitted to the 17th Biennial
Clergy-Laity Congress.
The proposal requested the establishment of the first Greek Orthodox
Archdiocesan Standing Committee of

Missions, which the Congress passed

unanimously.
From 1967, this Missions Committee
began to function for the next 17 years
with 20 volunteer clergy and lay Board
members. The Archbishop appointed
Bishop Silas as the Episcopal Head of
the Committee and this writer as the
coordinator.
The Missions Committee had two
main objectives. The first was to raise
awareness about Orthodox foreign missions through writings, lectures and
sermons. The second was to raise funds
for scholarship assistance to young men
and women from Uganda, Kenya, Korea
and Mexico to study at St. Basils Academy
and at Hellenic College/Holy Cross Greek

Offering token gifts and treats to young children in the Jebel Musa oasis near Mt. Sinai.

Orthodox School of Theology.

Upon completion of their studies,
these students returned to their respective
countries to serve as priests and teachers
of Orthodoxy.
In 1984, at the 27th Clergy-Laity Congress of New York, Archbishop Iakovos
again played a role in opening wide the
door for the growth of mission activity in
the Church.
The program had grown too large for
volunteers to handle the ministry and the
Missions Committee requested a salaried
executive director and a permanent office.

Archbishop Iakovos again supported the

decision wholeheartedly and appointed
Fr. Dimitrios Couchell (now Bishop of
Xanthos) as the first executive director.
The Missions Committee became
the Archdiocesan Mission Center with
an office at the St. Photios Shrine in St.
Augustine.
Ten years later, in 1994 Archbishop
Iakovos pastoral guidance and vision
supported another crucial step in the
establishment of the Orthodox Christian
Mission Center as it is today.
His Eminence received very favorably
the proposal to broaden the Mission Centers ministry by becoming pan-Orthodox
under the aegis of SCOBA (Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops
in America). The proposal received the
unanimous approval of the 32nd Greek
Orthodox Clergy-Laity Congress and of
SCOBA.
Archbishop Iakovos served as the
long-time chairman of SCOBA and the
new name given to the ministry was
the Orthodox Christian Mission Center
(OCMC).
Since its humble beginnings OCMC,
which Archbishop Iakovos helped to bring
into existence, has grown into a missionary outreach impacting thousands of
lives in the name of Christ. Since 1985,
the Mission Center has sent 70 long-term
missionaries to Africa, Eastern Europe,
South East Asia, and Latin America and
762 short-term mission team volunteers
on 95 teams to 22 countries. The Mission
Center has conducted 41 building and
restoration projects of churches, schools
and medical clinics, and financially supported 272 indigenous Orthodox clergy
in 16 countries on an annual basis.
The Mission Center is grateful for all
of Archbishop Iakovos support over the
years. May his memory be eternal.
Fr. Alexander Veronis is OCMC Board
President Emeritus

Archbishop Iakovos riding

a camel en route to the
Monastery of St. Katherine
in Mt. Sinai.

B7

MAY 2005

Archbishop Iakovos
The Executive Committee, Board of Trustees and members of the
Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Endowment Fund, Incorporated
express their deep sorrow at the passing of Archbishop Iakovos,
Leadership 100s founder and exclaim profound appreciation for his
extraordinary ministry and service.
Archbishop Iakovos founded the Archbishop Iakovos Leadership
100 Endowment Fund in 1984 as an act of love and commitment to
forward the mission of the Greek Orthodox Church in America.
A towering religious figure over so many critical decades in the
history of our Church and our Nation, he was known worldwide for
his dedication to human and civil rights, religious freedom and to
ecumenical dialogue and interfaith relations.
Most important of all, he was our Archbishop.

May his memory be eternal!

Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Endowment Fund, Incorporated

B8

MAY 2005

aiwnia sas h mnhmh

MAY YOUR MEMORY BE ETERNAL

Thank you for the many years

of spiritual guidance and inspiration
With love and respect,
Gus and Maria Stavropoulos
Mark and Eleni Stavropoulos and Family
Nicholas and Konstantina Stavropoulos and Family
Michael and Anastasia Stavropoulos and Family
Rev. Fr. Athanasios and Presbytera Denise Michalos and Family

B9

MAY 2005

Archbishop Iakovos embodied for me the spirit of a true Christian. His life
served as an inspiration to all and especially for me. It has been one of my greatest
pleasures and privileges to have known him both as the leader of Orthodoxy in
America and as a dear, personal friend.
His Eminence honored my family by officiating at the weddings of each of my four
children. He was a leader who commanded respect while retaining human qualities.
I will always cherish the personal times we shared whether it was watching baseball or
enjoying his sense of humor.
Archbishop Iakovos vision and leadership was responsible for the growth
and prosperity of our Church during his long stewardship as our Archbishop. His
charismatic leadership and devout faith earned him the respect and admiration of
everyone from small children to the Presidents of our nation.
My family and I will always remember and love him. We take comfort in the
knowledge that he is in his rightful place in heaven and that we were blessed to share a
small part of his life.

George and Janet Chimples

,
, ,
,
, .
Give rest, O God, to your servant, and place him in Paradise
where the choirs of the saints and the righteous will shine as
the stars of heaven. To Your departed servant give rest, O Lord
and forgive all his offenses.

HIS EMINENCE METROPOLITAN NICHOLAS

THE CLERGY SYNDESMOS
THE METROPOLIS COUNCIL
THE METROPOLIS PHILOPTOCHOS
AND FAITHFUL

B 10

MAY 2005

,

,
,
,
, ,

GIVE REST, O CHRIST,

AMONG THE SAINTS
TO THE SOUL OF YOUR SERVANT,
IAKOVOS THE ARCHBISHOP,
OUR SPIRITUAL FATHER,
WHERE THERE IS NO PAIN,
NO SORROW, NO GRIEVING,
BUT LIFE EVERLASTING

THE FAMILY
OF

CHRIS W. and JOAN CARAS

May His Memory

Be Eternal

The Board of Directors

and Residents of
Saint George Athenagoras Manor
Archbishop Iakovos Gardens
Senior Housing
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Our Loving Gratitude to Archbishop Iakovos

for his encouragement, support and vision in establishing the Orthodox Christian Mission Center
In 1966 he supported the
establishment of the Greek
Orthodox Archdiocesan
Standing Committee of Missions

In 1984 he established
the Archdiocesan Mission
Center with its first
Executive Director

In 1994 he oversaw the

Orthodox Christian Mission
Center becoming panOrthodox under SCOBA

Left: Archbishop Iakovos visiting St.

Nicholas Orthodox Church in Seoul, Korea
in 1962 when the mission was under the
jurisdiction of the Greek Orthodox
Archdiocese of North and South America.
Right: Archbishop Iakovos & Archbishop
Demetrios in 2003 presenting the
Athenagoras Human Rights Award to
OCMC at the Grand Banquet of the Order
of St. Andrew the Apostle, Archons of the
Ecumenical Patriarchate. Accepting the
award are Mrs. Helen Nicozisis (then
President of OCMC Board) and Fr. Martin
Ritsi, OCMC Executive Director.

Memory Eternal!

P.O. Box 4319

St. Augustine, FL 32085
1-877-GO-FORTH (463-6784)
(904) 829-5132 www.ocmc.org

MAY 2005

B 11

MAY 2005

Remembrances
of the
Nations Chief
Executives
Through the years,
Archbishop Iakovos
had borne witness
to the Orthodox faith
to countless people
throughout the world,
persons of various
background and status,
from the meek to the
mighty.
He had known every
American president
since Harry S. Truman.
As Archbishop
beginning with the
administration of
Dwight Eisenhower,
he had regularly visited
the White House as the
Churchs most visible
representative.
His encounters with
the nations chief
executives have been far
more than ceremonial.
Archbishop Iakovos had
oen advised presidents
on a range of issues,
especially human rights,
particularly as they
relate to Greece and
Cyprus.
Back in 1996,
Archbishop Iakovos
had reminisced about
each president.

Dwight Eisenhower What impressed me

about President Eisenhower was his humility
and his Christian background. He told me
with pride that the Bible in his home was read
by the father in Greek to his nine children.
He would tell them that in translation some
spirit or truth could be changed or not be
translated correctly, and he would tell David
and all his other eight children that Id like
you to be very close to the Bible, closer to
the meaning of the Bible, and live the Bible
as individuals in your life. My first meeting
with Eisenhower was centered on the practical
religion of the American Christian family.

Ronald Reagan
Reagan also was
a very outspoken
person and when
I presented to
his aention
what brought
me to ask an
audience, he
was always
prepared to
discuss it
with you and
give you his
opinion, but
he was very
direct.

John F. Kennedy My experience

with the youngest president up to that
time, John F. Kennedy, was that he was
very sensitive to all issues, especially
to the issue of human relations. He
was an acquaintance of mine before
he became a member of the House
from Boston, immediately aer the
Second World War. We could have
a more friendly relationship and
talks. He was very much concerned
with the faithful here starting from
New England and Boston, and he
expressed his wish that we may
be able some day to show what
Orthodoxy means and what it
could or should mean to the
American public.

June 9, 1980 Archbishop Iakovos receives the MEDAL OF FREEDOM, the Nations highest honor
from President Jimmy Carter at the White House.

Lyndon Johnson My
relations with President
Johnson became more relevant
because of the issue of Cyprus.
And I must tell you also that
the only president who wrote
in a very strong style to Turkey
was President Johnson.
Nobody else told them what
they did not like to hear.

Jimmy Carter A man you could not hesitate to call your

friend. President Jimmy Carter was by far a Christian living his
faith. Very humble, very sincere, and very human I would say
if you dont prefer the word humble. He was a man you would
like to tell, I trust you, and respect and I love you. He was
also prepared to tell you he feels the same way. He used to call
me my buddy. No president called me my buddy.

Richard Nixon The late President

Nixon was a pragmatist. He wouldnt
waste or spend any time discussing
academic topics. First of all, he was
very well prepared for the office of
president. He knew who I was and
what I was representing before I told
him who I am. He was a realist and, to
me, one of the presidents that lived for
the United States prestige.

Gerald Ford President Ford was very kind, an old

acquaintance, friendly. Of the crisis at that time, the Cypriot
question, he was most understanding. And if it were not for
Secretary of State Kissinger, he would have been willing to
take some more effective measures against the invaders.

George Bush George Bush and Barbara are two people that
would seem to be at home in the White House. They were a
family. You could touch, so to speak, the warmth and cordiality.
He was more ready to listen to you than you would expect.

Bill Clinton
In my dialogues
with him was
in very friendly
atmosphere.
Hes young,
personable,
understanding
and captures
your aention
and your respect
and love.

B 14

MAY 2005

IN MEMORY OF ARCHBISHOP IAKOVOS

As a member of the Greek Orthodox Community in the United States who had the honor to work closely with
Archbishop Iakovos for 20 years, I can only thank our Lord for giving him to our Church during an auspicious
time of unity and growth. Under Archbishop Iakovoss leadership, the Greek American Community in the United
States found its voice and began to speak out on human rights issues and religious rights violations in our nation
and throughout the world. His leadership constituted a strong, resolute voice since the early tragic days of our
struggle for justice in Cyprus. His vision also encouraged us as a faith-based community to reach out to the world
around us. Today, the International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC), the Orthodox Christian Mission
Center (OCMC), and Leadership 100 stand as proof of our commitment to evangelization and humanitarian
outreach on a global basis. In my humble estimation, the legacy bequeathed to us by this dynamic servant of our
Lord can inspire us to remain united so that our voice can continue to be heard and so that our works of charity
and evangelization can continue to glorify the Resurrected Lord.

MAY HIS MEMORY BE ETERNAL!

Andrew A. Athens, President
World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE)
President Emeritus of the Archdiocese Council
National Chairman, United Hellenic American Congress (UHAC)
980 N. Michigan Avenue Suite 1210 Chicago, Illinois 60611
Tel: 312/337-7243 Fax: 312/337-7245 E-mail: hellenes@saeworld.org

, ,
.
Blessed is the way wherein you walk today,
for there is prepared for you a place of rest.

May His Memory Be Eternal

Nicholas J. Bouras

B 15

MAY 2005

In Remembrance of Archbishop IAKOVOS

with Deep Gratitude
He was a Tower of Faith...
a man with an Ecumenical Spirit
whose life and ministry
touched millions around the globe.
He taught us

to go and make
disciples of all nations.

His ministry in Christs Vineyard has touched four generations of our family
Demetrios and Eugenia Nicozisis, New York, NY
Philip and Anastasia Bakalis, New York, NY
Louis and Helen Nicozisis, Boca Raton, Fla. - Lancaster, Pa.
Ken, Jeannie, Arida-Elena, twins Christina and William, Westfield, NJ
Philip G. Nicozisis, West Palm Beach, Fla.
Jonathan L. Nicozisis, Princeton, NJ

Well done, thy good and faithful servant

Memory Eternal Good Shepard
You will be with us in all our tomorrows

ST. MARK GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH, BOCA RATON, FLA

B 16

MAY 2005

In Loving Memory of Archbishop IAKOVOS...

He made us all soar higher than an eagle.
He was the wind beneath our wings.

LILA and THEODORE O. PROUNIS

and Family

B 17

MAY 2005

,
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100

B 18

MAY 2005

In loving memory of our beloved

Spiritual Father

Archbishop Iakovos
In faith, and hope, and love, in meekness and purity and in
priestly worth uprightly hast thou discharged thy sacred functions,
O Ever-memorable One, beloved Archbishop Iakovos. For which
cause the God eternal, whom thou hast served, shall himself
establish thy spirit in a place of brightness, and of beauty, where
the Righteous rest; and thou shalt receive pardon and great mercy
at the Judgment Day of Christ.
burial hymn for a priest

ARCHONS OF THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE

B 19

MAY 2005

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B 20

MAY 2005

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B 21

MAY 2005

2002.

1990.

In reverent memory
of

Him Eminence Archbishop IAKOVOS

In honor of his many pastoral visits

especially on the occasion
of our Consecration,
June 18, 1989

Archbishop Iakovos places relics in altar

The Assumption (Koimisis of the Theotokos)

Greek Orthodox Church
21800 Marter Road, St. Clair Shores, Michigan

1992-1993
.

Father Michael Varlamos

Proistamenos

Father Athanasios Michalos

Associate Priest

B 22

MAY 2005

In the Archbishops ancestral home in Imvros with His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to whom he had just submited his resignation, August 15, 1995.

The last letter of Archbishop Iakovos to His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew dated
March 28, 2005. In it he expresses his gratitude for some books and booklets he had received
as gifts from the Patriarch, as well as the Patriarchs hand-written note. I am grateful to you for
all these and your love expressed in many different ways, he writes.

His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Archbishop Iakovos and Archbishop Demetrios of America shared a meal during the Patriarchs last visit to the U.S., in March 2004.

Archbishop Iakovos
together with
Archbishop Demetrios and
Dr. Anthony Limberakis
present Archbishop
Anastasios of Albania
with the Athenagoras
Humanitarian Award
on behalf of the Archons
of the Order of St. Andrew
the Apostle,
February 18, 2001

A meeting with Pope John Paul the II during the Popes visit to America in 1979.

Archbishop Iakovos Name Day 2003: In the Holy Altar of the Church of Christ the Saviour in
Rye, N.Y. as he partakes of the Holy Gifts. Next to him are Archbishop Demetrios, Metropolitan
Evangelos of NJ and behind him Fr. Nicholas Anctil.

From the Patriarchal visit of Ecumenical Patriarch Dimitrios in 1990, pictured with congressional
leaders at the Capitol Building are Archbishop Iakovos, Patriarch Dimitrios and the Metropolitan
of Chalcedon now Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.

B 23

MAY 2005

The Peoples Archbishop

Archbishop Iakovos loved baseball and loved children. He would not miss a chance to butt.

A 4-year-old Nicole Triantafilou welcomes the Archbishop at Houston International Airport with
a bouquet of roses in 1969. Assisting her is her mother Presvytera Diane Triantafilou.

Christmas
at the Archdiocese
were always
a joyful time.
Children gathered
around the Archbshop
to listen to his stories
and get his blessing.
Celebrating his 92nd birthday in 2003 with many of his spiritual children and friends.
Pictured with Louis and Helen Nicozisis.
Clergy-Laity
Congress of
1996.
The
Philoptochos makes
a pilgrimage
to Ellis
Island
and the
Arcbishop,
who accompanies
them, studies the long
list of immigrant names
inscribed
on a stone
ledge.
Even when it was no longer easy for him to travel, he wouldnt miss
a chance to visit the Archdiocese and bask in the love, respect and
affection of the Archdiocesan staff, old and new alike. Above, he is accompanied to his car by Archbishop Demetrios and Jerry Dimitriou.

B 24

MAY 2005