I have fought the good fi ght,I have fi nished the race, I have kept the faith.

2 TIMOTHY 4:7

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BornDemetriosCoucouzis He 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, emo-tionally, 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 rela-tives in Montreal and Greece.

While still a child, Demetrios felt Jesus’ call.

In a dream, Jesus beckoned Cou-couzis to follow him.

He enrolled at age 15 in the Ecu-menical 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 police-man 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 en-counter and offered him a position as a preacher and archdeacon in his diocese.

He accepted the Metropolitan’s of-fer and was ordained a deacon on Nov. 25, 1934, taking the ecclesiastical name “Iakovos.”

Afterwards, he received his master’s degree in theology from Halki and, in 1939, went to America to serve as Arch-bishop Athenagoras’ archdeacon.

From that time, he began his associa-tion 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), be-fore becoming dean of Boston’s Annuncia-tion Cathedral (1942-54). Along the way, he earned a master’s 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-presi-dent of the World Council of Churches (1959-68), vice president of the National Council of Churches Triennium (1967-69), vice president of Religion in American Life, and others. His Eminence also has received numerous awards from many organizations and institutions.

International Religious LeaderA dynamic participant in the con-

temporary 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 dia-logues. In a successful effort to promote closer ties among Orthodox jurisdictions, he founded the Standing conference of Ca-nonical 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 God’s continued presence and involvement in modern history.”

He was the recipient of the Presiden-tial Medal of Freedom, the nation’s high-est civilian honor, bestowed by President Jimmy Carter on June 9, 1980.

Friend to nine presidents, and re-ligious 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 Is-land Medal of Honor and was cited by the Academy of Athens, the National Confer-ence of Christians and Jews and the Appeal of Conscience, among others.

In the international arena he spoke out forcefully against the violation of hu-man 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-

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 hu-man 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 pas-sage 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 1930’s. Newly ordained Deacon, November 25, 1934.

He writes to his parents from Halki on April 4, 1932: “To my most respected parents to reas-sure them I will always be with them, since I never feel them afar. Their Demetrios.”

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Accomplished Leaderof 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 democ-racy of his adopted country without forfeit-ing the ageless values of Greek culture or abandoning Greek Orthodoxy’s spiritual and ecclesiastical roots in the Church of Constantinople.

Commenting on Orthodoxy in Amer-ica, he said: “Our Church without ceasing to be ethnically rooted in Greece and re-ligiously in the Ecumenical Patriarchate, must believe that America is the place where God intended it to grow…and that it has an obligation, without compromis-ing in matters of faith, to adapt itself to the existing conditions.”

Archbishop Iakovos revitalized sev-eral parish organizations, upgraded roles of the Archdiocesan Council, the Biennial

Clergy-Laity Congress, the Ladies Philopto-chos Society and the Orthodox Observer; introduced new Archdiocesan departments including Church and Society, Youth Min-istry and encouraged the expansion of St. Michael’s Home for Aged, St. Basil Academy and St. Photios Shrine.

He founded a major gifts program for the Archdiocese, today titled the Archbish-op 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 apprecia-tion 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 reorga-nization of Holy Cross into an institution fully accredited by the Association of Theo-logical 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 who’s 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.

Memorial donations may be made to: The Archbishop Iakovos Chair of Ortho-dox 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 minis-try of Archbishop Iakovos. However, this condensed chronology includes some of the events, actions and progress occurring during His Eminence’s 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 con-secrations of our current bishops, the volumes of encyclicals and messages to the faithful, and other examples.

Undoubtedly, many people through-out the world who have somehow been touched by the Archbishop’s 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 Archbishop’s immense contribution and impact on the Church in the Americas.

Iakovos as a young preacher

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

Fr. Iakovos, the dean of Boston’s Annunciation Cathedral offers

a special inaugural blessing for “The Star of Athens,” a new TWA

Lockheed Constelation aircraft, sometime in the the mid-1940’s.

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

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THERE is a conventional phrase that has transcended the corridors of time that truly reveals the inevitable truth that “his-tory 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 indel-ible mark on the Christian Faith.

Once again history has repeated it-self in the 20th century. They are Patriarch Athenagoras, Archbishop Athenagoras Cavadas and, the last of the divine trium-virate, 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 Arch-bishop 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 tri-umvirate 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 prodi-gious and miraculous accomplishment for the Church of Jesus Christ.

It was the hand of God that inter-ceded 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 ac-complishments 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 re-spected 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 Churchby Fr. George Poulos

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 denomina-tions together in anticipation of eventual unity in the faith.

In recognition of his many outstand-ing 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 life-time 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 Amer-icas 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 leader-ship 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 cler-gyman 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 dy-namic dean holding spellbound up to a thousand children who were bussed from

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 en-tranced 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 put-ting his ear to a seashell, one can hear

uuu

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

SELMA, AlabamaApril 1965

ArchbishopIakovos

playfullywalks along

with a 6-year-oldin the black ghettos

accompaniedby Archdiocese

ChancellorFr. George

Bacopoulos (left)and Bishop

John Hines of-the Episcopal Church

B 4 MAY 2005 MAY 2005 B 5

the booming voice of Dean Coucouzes by pressing his ear against the hallowed walls of Boston’s Cathedral.

His popularity as America’s greatest Orthodox hierarch was not limited to these American shores but his reputa-tion 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 inspira-tion 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 fi-nancial 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 at-tended 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 Arch-bishop 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 up-lift 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 advance-ment of Orthodoxy in this country.

Having borne witness to the steward-ship of Archbishop Iakovos, we can look upon his astonishing leadership and thank

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 endeav-ored to provide an ever-growing Church with the finest of priests.

It is a far cry from the humble begin-nings 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 God’s light that he has influenced men from far afield from his limited scope of author-ity 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.

Men and women have served, even died for the Savior more than 20 centu-ries, with some attaining a near-divinity that called for sainthood.

Some have served unobtrusively, un-noticed 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 un-paralleled 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 asso-ciated with Archbishop Iakovos for nearly his entire ministry. As the archbishop’s bi-ographer, Fr. Poulos authored “Breath of God” in 1984.

uuu

FOURTH ASSEMBLYof 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 UnitedTheological College,Bangalors, India andArchbishop Iakovos,President of the WCC.

SELMA, Ala.,March 1965

Dr. MartinLuther King Jr.

carries a wreathon a march to

the courthousefor memorial services

for the martyredRev. James Reeb.

(L to R)Archbishop Iakovos,

Dr. King,Revs. Ralph Abernathy

and Andrew Young.

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

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.

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ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – Archbishop Ia-kovos, 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 Ortho-dox 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 estab-lishment of the first “Greek Orthodox Archdiocesan Standing Committee of

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 Cen-ter’s ministry by becoming pan-Orthodox under the aegis of SCOBA (Standing Con-ference 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 mission-ary 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 sup-ported 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 and the Establishment of the OCMCby Fr. Alexander Veronis 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 mis-sions 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. Basil’s Academy and at Hellenic College/Holy Cross Greek

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 Con-gress 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.

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

Archbishop Iakovos ridinga camel en route to the Monastery of St. Katherinein Mt. Sinai.

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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 100’s 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 fi gure 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.

Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Endowment Fund, Incorporated

Archbishop Iakovos

May his memory be eternal!

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aiwnia sas h mnhmhMAY YOUR MEMORY BE ETERNAL

Thank you for the many yearsof spiritual guidance and inspiration

With love and respect,

Gus and Maria StavropoulosMark and Eleni Stavropoulos and FamilyNicholas and Konstantina Stavropoulos and FamilyMichael and Anastasia Stavropoulos and FamilyRev. Fr. Athanasios and Presbytera Denise Michalos and Family

B 8 MAY 2005 MAY 2005 B 9

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 offi ciating 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

HIS EMINENCE METROPOLITAN NICHOLAS THE CLERGY SYNDESMOS

THE METROPOLIS COUNCIL THE METROPOLIS PHILOPTOCHOS

AND ΤΗΕ FAITHFUL

Ἀνάπαυσον, ὁ Θεός τόν δοῦλον σου καί κατάταξον αὐτόν ἐν Παραδείσῳ, ὅπου χοροί τῶν Ἁγίων Κύριε, καί οἱ δίκαιοι ἐκλάµψουσιν ὡς φωστῆρες, τόν κεκοιµηµένον δοῦλον σου

ἀνάπαυσον, παρορῶν αὐτοῦ πάντα τά ἐγκλήµατα.

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.

B 10 MAY 2005 MAY 2005 B 11

In 1966 he supported the establishment of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocesan Standing Committee of Missions

P.O. Box 4319 St. Augustine, FL 32085

1-877-GO-FORTH (463-6784) (904) 829-5132 www.ocmc.org

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

In 1994 he oversaw the Orthodox Christian Mission Center becoming pan-Orthodox under SCOBA

Our Loving Gratitude to Archbishop Iakovosfor his encouragement, support and vision in establishing the Orthodox Christian Mission Center

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!

ΜΕΤΑ ΤΩΝ ΑΓΙΩΝ ΑΝΑΠΑΥΣΟΝ ΧΡΙΣΤΕ,ΤΗΝ ΨΥΧΗΝ ΤΟΥ ΔΟΥΛΟΥ ΣΟΥ

ΙΑΚΩΒΟΥ ΑΡΧΙΕΡΕΩΣ,ΠΑΤΡΟΣ ΠΝΕΥΜΑΤΙΚΟΥ ΗΜΩΝ ΓΕΝΟΜΕΝΟΥ,

ΕΝΘΑ ΟΥΚ ΕΣΤΙ ΠΟΝΟΣ,ΟΥ ΛΥΠΗ, ΟΥ ΣΤΕΝΑΓΜΟΣ,ΑΛΛΑ ΖΩΗ ΑΤΕΛΕΥΤΗΤΟΣ

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 Board of Directorsand Residents of

Saint George – Athenagoras ManorArchbishop Iakovos Gardens

Senior HousingPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania

ΑΙΩΝΙΑ ΣΟΥ Η ΜΝΗΜΗΑΞΙΟΜΑΚΑΡΙΣΤΕ

May His MemoryBe Eternal

THE FAMILYOF

CHRIS W. and JOAN CARAS

B 10 MAY 2005 MAY 2005 B 11

MAY 2005

Bill Clinton — In my dialogues with him was in very friendly atmosphere. He’s young, personable, understanding and captures your a� ention and your respect and love.

Remembrancesof theNation’s Chief Executives

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 “I’d 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 fi rst meeting with Eisenhower was centered on the practical religion of the American Christian family.

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 Church’s most visible representative.His encounters with the nation’s chief executives have been far more than ceremonial. Archbishop Iakovos had o� en 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.

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 a� er 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.

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.

Richard Nixon — The late President Nixon was a pragmatist. He wouldn’t waste or spend any time discussing academic topics. First of all, he was very well prepared for the offi ce 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 eff ective measures against the invaders.

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 don’t 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.

Ronald Reagan — Reagan also was

a very outspoken person and when

I presented to his a� ention

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.

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

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.

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Nicholas J. Bouras

Μακαρία ἡ ὁδός, ᾗ πορεύῃ σήµερον,ὅτι ἡτοιµάσθη σοι τόπος ἀναπαύσεως.

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

May His Memory Be Eternal

980 N. Michigan Avenue · Suite 1210 · Chicago, Illinois 60611

Tel: 312/337-7243 · Fax: 312/337-7245 · E-mail: hellenes@saeworld.org

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 Iakovos’s 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)

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“Well done, thy good and faithful servant”Memory Eternal Good Shepard

You will be with us in all our tomorrows

In Remembrance of Archbishop IAKOVOSwith Deep Gratitude

His ministry in Christ’s Vineyard has touched four generations of our family…

He was a Tower of Faith...a man with an Ecumenical Spiritwhose life and ministrytouched millions around the globe.

He taught us“… to go and makedisciples of all nations.”

Demetrios and Eugenia Nicozisis, New York, NYPhilip and Anastasia Bakalis, New York, NYLouis and Helen Nicozisis, Boca Raton, Fla. - Lancaster, Pa.Ken, Jeannie, Arida-Elena, twins Christina and William, Westfi eld, NJPhilip G. Nicozisis, West Palm Beach, Fla.Jonathan L. Nicozisis, Princeton, NJ

ST. MARK GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH, BOCA RATON, FLA

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LILA and THEODORE O. PROUNISand Family

In Loving Memory of Archbishop IAKOVOS...

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

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Σεβασµιώτατε,στίς ἐπισκέψεις Σας στήν κοινότητά µας ἤ σέ ὅποια ἄλλη ἐκδήλωση πού εἶχα τήν εὐλογία νά σᾶς συναντήσῳ σᾶς προσφωνοῦσα µέ αὐτά τά λόγια –πού τά θυµᾶµαι ἀπό τά µαθητικά µου χρόνια– περισσότερο ἀπό µισό αἰῶνα τώρα. Μιά φορά πού δέν πρόλαβα νά σᾶς προσφωνήσω µέ προλάβατε ἐσεῖς: — κύριε Στέφανε, ποῦ εἶναι ἡ ὡραῖα σας προσφώνηση, τήν περιµένω.

Εἰς αἰωνίαν μνήμηντοῦ Ἀρχιεπισκόπου ἡμῶν Ἰακώβου

«Κύκλῳτῆς τραπέζης σουὡς στελέχη βλέπωντά ἐγγονά σουχαῖρε,εὐφραίνουκελεύων ταῦτατῷ Χριστῷ,ποιµενάρχα!»

ΟἰκογενειακῶςΣτέφανος Τσερπέλης

Ἄρχων ΔικαιωφύλαξἩγεσία τῶν 100

Ἀρχιεπισκοπικό Συµβούλιο

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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

In loving memory of our belovedSpiritual Father

Archbishop Iakovos

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Γéá ÷ùñïöýëáêáò äåí Ýêáíå. Áëëùóôå, Ýðñåðå íá Þóïõí Ôïýñ-êïò Þ ãåíßôóáñïò ãéá íá êõíçãÜò Åë ëç íåò, óå ÷þìáôá åëëçíéêÜ... Ïé

ìüíåò åðéëïãÝò ðïõ åß÷å, åîüí áðü ìéá æùÞ «ôáã ìÝíïò» íá ÷ôßæåé îåñïëéèéÝò, Þôáí íá ãßíåé äÜóêáëïò Þ ðáðÜò. ÃñÜììáôá èÝëáí êáé ôá äõü, êëßóç äéÝèåôå, ìáæß êáé ëý÷íï êáé êïíôýëé, êáé âÜëèçêå íá êÜíåé ôá âéâëßá äéáâáôÞñéï ãéá êÜðïõ ðáñá-ðÜíù.

Ç ðñþôç ôïõ åðéëïãÞ Þôáí íá ãßíåé äÜóêáëïò. Ðßóôåõå âáèéÜ, ìá êÜôé âéïðï-ñéóôÝò ôïõ êëÞñïõ –ðïõ ôüóá êñýâáíå ðßóù áð’ ôï Óôáõñü– ôïõ áìáõñþíáí ôçí åéêüíá. Áðü ôçí Ýäñá, óêÝöôïíôáí, óìéëåýåéò áíèñþðïõò. Äéáìïñöþíåéò ìõáëÜ, ðëÜèåéò ÷áñá êôÞñåò. Çôáí ðïëý áñãüôåñá ðïõ óõíåéäçôïðïßçóå üôé áðü ôïí Üìâùíá, üôáí áãáðÜò, ðñïæýìé óïõ åßíáé ïé øõ÷Ýò.

Êáé ôá óõíäýáóå ôá äýï. ÌÝ÷ñé óÞìåñá, êáíåßò ðïõ ôïí ìåëÝôçóå äåí êáôÜöåñå íá äéá÷ùñßóåé: Åßíáé ðáðÜò ðñþôéóôá, Þ äÜóêáëïò;

Îåêßíçóå –óßãïõñá– ãéá äÜóêáëïò, ìá ìå âáèéÜ ôçí ðßóôç óôï Èåü êáé ôçí ÐñüíïéÜ Ôïõ. Ôçí áãíÞ ôïõ ðßóôç, äåí Þèåëå íá ôçí êÜíåé åðÜããåëìá, ïýôå êáé ôçí áíôÜëëáîå ðïôÝ. «Áäïýëùôåò Þ áíüñå÷ôåò ãéá äïõëåßá óêÝøåéò êáé øõ÷Ýò óáí ôåò äéêÝò ìáò ìðïñïýóáí íá õðç-ñåôÞóïõí ôïí Èåü êáé ôïí ðëçóßïí áëëéþôéêá, áðü ôçí Ýäñá ëüãïõ ÷Üñéí. Ôï äéáéóèáíüìïõíá áðü ìáèçôÞò. ÈõìÜóáé; Äåí Þèåëá íá ãßíù ðáðÜò. Çèåëá êáèç-ãçôÞò...» Ýãñáöå ðñéí ðåíÞíôá ÷ñüíéá óå ößëï êáé óõììáèçôÞ ôïõ áðü ôá ÷ñüíéá ôçò ×Üëêçò.

Åß÷å, üìùò, ïñáìáôéóôåß ôï ×ñéóôü íá ôïõ ãíÝöåé. Êáé ðáñáäüèçêå ôåëéêÜ óôç âïýëçóç ôïõ Ðáíôï äýíáìïõ. ÐÝñáóå ùêåáíïýò êáé êýìáôá, ìðïõíÜôóåò êáé ôñéêõìßåò. Ïñãùóå áêÜìáôá ìéá îÝíç ãç, ìÝôñçóå ôçí ðïñåßá ôïõ ìåëåôþíôáò ô’ Üóôñá óå îÝíïõò ïõñáíïýò. Ìå óôéâáñü ÷Ýñé ïäÞãçóå ôï óêÜöïò êáé ìáæß üëï ôï ðëÞñùìá, ìÝóá áðü Óêýëåò êáé ×Üñõâ-äåò, êåíôþíôáò ðåñßðëïõ ãýñù áð’ ôïõò õöÜëïõò, öôÜíïíôáò óå áóöáëÞ íåñÜ, Ýôïéìïò –ðëÝïí– íá îáðïóôÜóåé.

Êé Þñèáí óôéãìÝò ðïõ êéüôåøå. ÓôéãìÝò ðïõ êÜèå Üëëïò èá ôá ðáñáôïýóå. Ôß Þôáí áõôü ðïõ ôïí áôóÜëùóå óôï ìåôåñßæé ôïõ Áíèñþðïõ êáé ôçò èñçóêåßáò; «Çèåëá íá ãñÜøù Ýíá âéâëßï», ëÝåé. Ìéá åéêüíá ãéá ôï Åñãï ôïõ Áíèñþðïõ êáé ôçí Åëðßäá ôïõ Èåïý. Áãñáöï áêüìá êáé óÞìåñá, ïé óåëßäåò ôïõ åßíáé ãåìÜôåò áð’ üóá Þèåëå íá ðåé, ìá ðïõ ðïôÝ äåí êÜèéóå íá ãñÜøåé...

Ìå ôá ëüãéá ôïõ ÐïéçôÞ: «Íá âãÜëåéò ôïí åáõôü óïõ, ôïí ðñáãìáôéêü, áðü ôçí êáèçìåñéíüôçôá. Íá ôïí éäåßò áêáôÜëõôï, áêáôáíßêçôï íá áôåíßæåé ôï ìÝëëïí, ôï ìåôÝðåéôá, ðïõ äåí èá óõììåôÝ÷åé... Ïñá-ìá êáèÜñéï êáé óõíÜìá Áíáêïý öéóç...».

ÁìÝôñçôá ôá êåöÜëáéá ôïõ âéâëßïõ ôïõ, ìÝíïõí áêüìç ãñáììÝíá ìüíï óôï ìõáëü ôïõ. Áí êáé ìå ìåëÜíé áüñáôï, ïé óêÝøåéò êáé ôá ëüãéá ôïõ Éáêþâïõ áðü ôçí Éìâñï, åßíáé ðáíôïý ãýñù ìáò, ïñáôÜ óáí Ýñãï æùÞò ôáãìÝíçò, óáí ïãêüëéèïé áíèñùðéÜò êáé ðßóôçò. Ãéá ôç ìåëÝôç ôïõò,

Τον Ιούλιο του 1996, λίγο πριν την αποχώρηση του Αρχιεπισκόπου Ιακώβου, ο Ορθόδοξος Παρατηρη-τής αφιέρωσε ένα ειδικό τεύχος για τα 37 χρόνια ποιμαντορίας του στο οποίο πρωτοδημοσιεύθηκε το Κύριο Αρθρο του τότε διευθυντή και αρχισυντάκτη αείμνηστου Κώ- στα Δεληγιάννη, το οποίο και ανα-δημοσιεύουμε.

ΙΑΚΩΒΟΣ: Πορεία Ζωήςäåí Ý÷ïõìå ðáñÜ íá êïéôÜîïõìå ôñéãýñù ìáò, ô’ áìÝôñçôá á÷íÜñéá óôï áíåîßôçëï ðáñÜäåéãìÜ ôïõ, êáé íá èåëÞóïõìå íá ôïí ìéìçèïýìå...

Åíá ôáîßäé ãéá íá ôï ðåñéãñÜøåéò, ðñÝðåé íá ðåñéìÝíåéò ôï ôÝëïò êáé í’ áãíáíôÝøåéò ðßóù. Óå êÜèå ðïñåßá, ðñÝðåé ìéá äéáäñïìÞ íá Ý÷åé ðñþôá äéáãñáöåß, ãéá íá óôñáöåßò ðßóù, áíáäñï ìéêÜ, êáé íá ðñïóäéïñßóåéò ôéò áöåôçñßåò. Óôïí ðõñÞíá, üìùò, êÜèå ôáîéäéïý õðÜñ ÷åé ç ðñïóðÜèåéá åðÝêôáóçò -äéåýñõíóçò èá Ýëåãá- ôïõ áôüìïõ óôï ÷þñï êáé óôïí ÷ñüíï.. Êáé ç ðïñåßá åßíáé êõêëéêÞ. Å÷åé áöåôçñßá, óôáèìïýò êáé ïñáôü ôÝëïò. Êáé ðïëëÝò áíáäñïìÝò, áíáâáðôßóåéò ßóùò.

Åãñáøå êÜðïéïò üôé «üðïõ êé áí ðåñéðëáíçèåß ï Üíèñùðïò, ðáñáìÝíåé äåìÝíïò óôïí ïìöÜëéï ëþñï ðïõ ôïí óõíäÝåé ìå ôç ìçôñéêÞ ôïõ ãç». Óôçí ðåñßðôùóç ôïõ Áñ÷éåðéóêüðïõ Éáêþâïõ, ï ìßôïò áõôüò ïäçãåß ðßóù, óôç ÷áìÝíç ðáôñßäá üðïõ ãåííÞèçêå êé áíäñþèçêå ï «êáôÜ êüóìïí» ÄçìÞôñéïò Êïõêïýæçò, ï ìåôÝðåéôá ðñùèéåñÜñ÷çò ôçò Ïñèïäïîßáò êáé åèíÜñ÷çò ôïõ Åëëçíéóìïý óôï ÍÝï Êüóìï, ÉÜêùâïò.

Óôçí Éìâñï ôïõ 1911, ç èñçóêåõôé-êüôçôá æùíôÜ íåõå êÜèå ðôõ÷Þ ôçò áðëÞò ìá äýóêïëçò æùÞò ôùí êáôïßêùí. Óå 25 åêêëçóéÝò êáé óôá 200 ’îùêëÞóéá ôïõ áéãáéïðåëáãßôéêïõ íçóéïý, ÷Ýñéá ðéóôÜ êñÜôáãáí ôï êáíôÞëé áíáììÝíï. ×ùñßò ôçí åõëïãßá ôïõ ðáðÜ, èåìÝëéï äåí Ýìðáéíå, áëÝôñé äåí êéíïýóå.

Ï ÄçìÞôñçò, ôï óôåñíïðáßäé ôçò Ìáñßáò êáé ôïõ ÁèáíÜóéïõ Êïõêïýæç, äåí åß÷å êáëÜ-êáëÜ ÷ñïíßóåé, üôáí ç ãáëáíü-ëåõêç õøþèçêå óôï íçóß, ìáæß ìå ôç ÷áñÜ êáé ôçí åëðßäá. Ô’ üíåéñï üìùò Ýóâçóå Üäïîá Ýíôåêá ìüëéò ÷ñüíéá áñãüôåñá, üôáí ôï 1923 ç çìéóÝëçíïò áíôéêá ôÝóôçóå êáé ðÜëé ôï óôáõñü, ðÜíù áðü ôá åðôÜ ÷ùñéÜ ôçò Éìâñïõ.

Ôåëåßùóå ôï åëëçíéêü ãõìíÜóéï óôï ôïõñêï êñáôïýìåíï êáé ðÜëé íçóß. O ðá-ôÝñáò ôïõ ÁèáíÜóéïò áíÜóôçóå ôçí 6ìåëÞ ïéêïãÝíåéÜ ôïõ äïõëåýïíôáò ìÝñá-íý÷ôá óôï ìéêñü ôïõ êáöåíåßï, óôï ÷ùñéü, ðåñéìÝíïíôáò íá áíáôåßëåé ç ìÝñá ðïõ ç ãáëáíüëåõêç èá õøùíüôáí ðÜëé óôç èÝóç ôçò çìéóåëÞíïõ. Ç ìÜíá, ç Ìáñßá, ìåãÜ-ëùóå ôá ðáéäéÜ ôçò Åëëçíåò êáé ×ñéóôéá-íïýò, ðáñÜ ôá áãêáèï ðëÝãìáôá ôïõ Ôïýñêïõ.

Ï Ýöçâïò ÄçìÞôñçò Þôáí ïíåéñï-ðüëïò. Ôéò ëßãåò þñåò ó÷üëçò, ôáîßäåõå íïåñÜ áêïëïõèþíôáò êÜèå áðüâñáäï ôïí Þëéï, óôï äéÜâá ôïõ ðÜíù áð’ ôçí ÅëëÜäá, ðñïò ôç Äýóç. Ðáéäß áìïýóôáêï, êïßôáæå ôç èÜëáóóá êáé ôï ðåðñùìÝíï ôïõ ôïýëåãå íá öýãåé, íá ÷áñÜîåé ô’ üíïìÜ ôïõ óå âñÜ÷éá îÝíá. ÓêÝöôçêå íá ãßíåé äÜóêáëïò Þ ðáðÜò. Êáëüò ìáèçôÞò, ïé åðéëïãÝò Þôáíå äéêÝò ôïõ. Óôï öùò ôïõ ëý÷íïõ êÜèå âñÜäõ, ôïõò ïñßæïíôåò ðïõ Üíïéîå ôïõò ÷Üñáæå óôçí ðëÜêá ìå ôï êïíôýëé.

Ôïí äéÜëåîå ï äÜóêáëïò, ôïí îå÷þ-ñéóå ï ðáðÜò. ÄåêáðÝíôå ÷ñüíùí, ößëçóå ôïõò ãïíéïýò êáé ôá áäÝëöéá ôïõ êáé ìðÜñêáñå ãéÜ ôçí Ðüëç. Ïôáí åßäå áðü ìáêñéÜ ôïí ÊåñÜôåéï êáé ôïõò ìéíáñÝäåò óôçí Áãéá ÓïöéÜ, ðßóôåøå ðùò Ýöôáóå ó’ Ýíá êüóìï åëåýèåñï, ÷ùñßò óôåíïýò ïñßæïíôåò óáí ðñþôá, óôï ôïõñêï-ðáôçìÝíï ôïõ íçóß. ÁëëÜ ôïí ðåñßìåíå ç áðïãïÞôåõóç êáé ìéá îáíáãåííçìÝíç åðéèõìßá ãéá íÝá öõãÞ. Óôïí ðåñéöñáã-ìÝíï ÷þñï ôçò ×Üëêçò, óôçí ðïëéïñêçìÝ-íç êéâùôü ôïõ Öáíáñßïõ, ç áôìüóöáéñá ôçí åðï÷Þ åêåßíç Þôáí ôï ßäéï ðíéãçñÞ êáé áíåëåýèåñç, üðùò êáé óôçí Éìâñï. Êáé èÝëçóå íá ðÜåé ðáñáðÝñá...

ÓôÜèçêå êáé ôõ÷åñüò. Óôç ÈåïëïãéêÞ Ó÷ïëÞ ôçò ×Üëêçò âñÞêå äÜóêáëï êáé êáèïäçãçôÞ ôïí ÄÝñêùí Éùáêåßì, ðïõ Ýãéíå ï ÃÝñïíôáò êé ç ÝìðíåõóÞ ôïõ. Ïôáí

Þñèå ç þñá, ôï 1934 ôïí Ýêáíå äéÜêïíü ôïõ, äßíïíôÜò ôïõ ôï üíïìá ÉÜêùâïò, êáé ôïí êñÜôçóå êïíôÜ ôïõ ðÝíôå ÷ñüíéá. Óôéò áêôÝò ôïõ Âïóðüñïõ, óôçí Ðñïðïíôßäá, äéÝäùóå ôï Ëüãï ôïõ Êõñßïõ: «Ðïñåõ-èÝíôåò ïõí ìáèçôåýóáôå ðÜíôá ôá Ýèíç... äéäÜóêïíôåò áõôïýò ôçñåßí ðÜíôá üóá åíåôåéëÜìçí õìßí» (Ìáôè., 28:18-20). Êçñýôôïíôáò ôï ÅõáããÝëéï óôç Âáóéëåý-ïõóá ôçò ÁíáôïëÞò, ï íïõò ôïõ Þôáí óôá åëåýèåñá ÷þìáôá ôçò Äýóçò.

Ç åõêáéñßá Þñèå ôï 1939, üôáí áðü ôçí Üëëç Üêñç ôïõ Áôëáíôéêïý, ï ÁìåñéêÞò Áèçíáãüñáò ôïí äéÜëåîå ãéÜ Áñ÷éäéÜêïíü ôïõ. ÐÞñå óôáõñü, ñÜóï êáé üíåéñá êáé îåíéôåýôçêå ãéÜ ôéò «íÝåò ÷þñåò» ôçò ðáôñéáñ÷éêÞò åðéêñÜôåéáò. ÌåãÜëç ç áðüöáóç, Þôáí ï ìüíïò ôñüðïò ãéÜ íá ðëáôýíåé ôïõò ïñßæïíôÝò ôïõ. «Çèåëá ëåõôåñéÜ êáé áîéïðñÝðåéá», åßðå áñãüôåñá ãéÜ ôçí åðéëïãÞ ôïõ íá öýãåé áðü ôçí Ôïõñêßá. Ìå ôçí åíåñãçôéêüôçôá, ðïõ áêüìá ôïí äéáêñßíåé êáé ìüíá üðëá ôçí ðßóôç ôïõ êáé ôï ìõáëü ôïõ, áíôßêñéóå ôï Üãáëìá ôçò Åëåõèåñßáò, êáôáíïþíôáò ðëÞñùò ôïí óõìâïëéóìü.

Óôï ÍÝï Êüóìï, ôïõ Þñèáí óôï ìõá ëü ôá ëüãéá ôïõ Ãêáßôå: «Åâëåðá ãýñù ìïõ ãíùóôÜ ìïõ áíôéêåßìåíá, áëëÜ óå Üãíù-óôï êüóìï. Ïðùò ôá åß÷á öáíôáóôåß, áëëÜ üëá Þôáí êáéíïýñéá. Ôï ßäéï êáé ìå ôéò óêÝøåéò, ìå ôéò éäÝåò ìïõ. Äåí åß÷á êáìéÜ ïëïêáßíïõñéá éäÝá, áëëÜ ç æùíôÜíéá, ç äéáýãåéá êáé ç óáöÞíåéá ôùí ðáëéþí, ôéò Ýêáíå êáéíïýñéåò».

Ðüìöñåô, ÊïíÝôéêáô ï åðüìåíïò óôáèìüò. Ç Èåïëï ãéêÞ Ó÷ïëÞ ôïõ Ôßìéïõ Óôáõñïý Þôáí ôï ìïíáäéêü öõôþñéï Ïñèüäïîçò äéáíüçóçò. Äßäáîå ÊáéíÞ ÄéáèÞêç êáé ÏìéëçôéêÞ, êáé ðáñÜìåéíå åêåß ùò âïçèüò êïóìÞôïñá, ìÝ÷ñé ôï 1942.

×åéñïôïíÞèçêå éåñÝáò óôéò 16 Éïõíßïõ

1940, óôï Ëüïõåë ôçò Ìáóá÷ïõóÝôçò, áðü ôïí åðßóêïðï Âïóôþíçò Áèçíáãüñá ÊáâÜäá, êïóìÞôïñá ôçò Ó÷ïëÞò. ÓõíÝ-÷éóå óôï ðëÜé ôïõ, åíþ ðáñÜëëçëá õðçñÝôçóå êáé óôçí êïéíüôçôá ôïõ Áãßïõ Ãåùñãßïõ, óôï ×Üñôöïñíô ôïõ ÊïíÝôéêáô. ÊÞñõîå ôï ÅõáããÝëéï óôïí Êáèåäñéêü ôçò Áãßáò ÔñéÜäáò ôï 1941 óôç ÍÝá Õüñêç, êáé ôï êáëïêáßñé ôïõ ’42 õðçñÝôçóå ðñïóùñéíÜ óôïí Áãéï Íéêüëáï, óôï Óåíô Ëïýéò ôïõ Ìéæïýñé.

Ôçí ßäéá ÷ñïíéÜ, ôï 1942, áíÝëáâå ðñïúóôÜìåíïò óôïí Êáèåäñéêü ôïõ Åõáã-ãåëéóìïý óôç Âïóôþíç, üðïõ êáé õðç-ñÝôçóå ìÝ÷ñé ôï 1954. Óôçí ðüëç ôùí ãñáììÜôùí êáé ôùí ðíåõìáôéêþí åðéäéþ-îåùí -óôçí ÁèÞíá ôçò ÁìåñéêÞò- ï ðáôÞñ ÉÜêùâïò Êïõêïýæçò Þôáí óôï óôïé÷åßï ôïõ. ÐáñÜëëçëá ìÝ ô’ Üëëá ôïõ êáèÞêï-íôá, ãñÜöôçêå óôç ÈåïëïãéêÞ Ó÷ïëÞ ôïõ ×Üñâáñíô, áð’ üðïõ êáé áðïöïß ôçóå ìÝ ìÜóôåñ óôç Èåïëïãßá ôï 1945.

Ï êüóìïò áíôáðÝäùóå ôçí áãÜðç ðïõ ôïõò åß÷å. Ðñùôïðüñïò óå üëá ôïõ, ðñïþèçóå ôçí éäÝá ìåôáóôÝ ãáóçò ôçò ÈåïëïãéêÞò Ó÷ïëÞò Ôéìßïõ Óôáõñïý, áðü ôï Ðüìöñåô, óôï ÌðñïõêëÜéí ôçò Ìáóá-÷ïõóÝôçò. Ðñþôï ôïõ ìÝëçìá ç Íåïëáßá, åéóÞãáãå ôïõò Åóðåñéíïýò ôùí ÍÝùí, êÜèå ÊõñéáêÞ, ìÝ ïìéëçôÝò êÜèå äüãìáôïò êáé èñçóêåßáò, èÝëïíôáò íá äþóåé þèçóç óôï ïéêïõìåíéêü êßíçìá. Áñ÷éóå ìÝ ìåñé-êÝò äåêÜäåò íÝïõò, êé üôáí Ýöõãå ãéá íá áíáëÜâåé Üëëá êáèÞêïíôá, åß÷å ðÜíù áðü äõü ÷éëéÜäåò.

Ôï 1950 ðÞñå ôçí áìåñéêáíéêÞ õðçêï-üôçôá, õéïèå ôþíôáò êáé óôá ÷áñôéÜ ôçí åðéëïãÞ ôçò êáñäéÜò ôïõ. Ï ÍÝïò Êüóìïò ôïí ôñÜâçîå ìáãíÞôçò êáé óôÜ åäÜöç ôïõ âñÞêå ôüðï ðñüóöïñï ãéÜ ôçí ÅëëçíéêÞ Ïñèïäïîßá.

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Ï ïíåéñïðüëïò ðáðÜò Ýãéíå ïñá-ìáôéóôÞò éåñÜñ ÷çò. Ôïí ÄåêÝìâñéï ôïõ 1954, ï ëáïöéëÞò ÉÜêùâïò åîåëÝãç åðßóêïðïò áðü ôçí ÉåñÜ Óýíïäï ôçò ÌçôÝñáò Åêêëçóßáò. ÐÞãå óôçí Ðüëç, üðïõ ï áðü ÁìåñéêÞò Áèçíáãüñáò, ðïõ åß÷å Þäç áíÝëèåé óôïí èñüíï ôïõ Ïéêïõ-ìåíéêïý Ðáôñéáñ ÷åßïõ, ôïí ÷åéñïôüíçóå Åðßóêïðï Ìåëßôçò óôïí éóôïñéêü ðáôñéáñ-÷éêü êáèåäñéêü ôïõ Áãßïõ Ãåùñãßïõ, óôï ÖáíÜñé, óôéò 6 Öåâñïõáñßïõ 1955.

Åðüìåíüò ôïõ óôáèìüò ôï Ðáãêüóìéï Óõìâïýëéï Åêêëçóéþí óôçí Ýäñá ôïõ ïðïßïõ -óôç Ãåíåýç ôçò Åëâåôßáò- Ýìåéíå ôÝóóåñá ÷ñüíéá, ùò ðñïóùðéêüò åêðñü-óùðïò ôïõ Ïéêïõìåíéêïý ÐáôñéÜñ÷ç. Ãíþñéóå êáé óõíåñãÜóôçêå ìå êïñõ-öáßïõò èåïëüãïõò êáé êëçñéêïýò ôïõ ðáãêüóìéïõ ïéêïõìåíéêïý êéíÞìáôïò. ÅííÝá ÷ñüíéá ðñüåäñïò ôïõ ÐÓÅ, ôáîß-äåøå áíÜ ôïí êüóìï, ðÞñå ìÝñïò óå áíáñßèìçôåò ïéêïõìåíéêÝò êáé äéåêêëç-óéáóôéêÝò óõíüäïõò êáé óõíå äñéÜóåéò, ãíþñéóå ëáïýò êáé äïîáóßåò.

Çôáí ìéá ìïõíôÞ, âñï÷åñÞ ìÝñá –áíáðïëåß ï ßäéïò– 14 Öåâñïõáñßïõ 1959, óôç Ãåíåýç, üôáí ôç óéùðÞ óôï ìéêñü äùìÜôéï Ýóðáóå ôï êïõäïýíéóìá ôïõ ôçëåöþíïõ. Ç áäåëöÞ ôïõ áðü ôçí Ðüëç, ç áãáðçìÝíç ôïõ ×ñõóÜíèç, ôïõ ‘ðå ðñþôç ôï ìåãÜëï ìáíôÜôï: Ç ÉåñÜ Óýíï-äïò ôïõ Ïéêïõìåíéêïý Ðáôñéáñ÷åßïõ ôïí åß÷å åêëÝîåé Áñ÷éåðßóêïðï ÁìåñéêÞò, êáëýðôïíôáò ôï êåíü ðïõ åß÷å äçìéïõñ-ãçèåß ìå ôïí ðñüùñï èÜíáôï ôïõ Áñ÷éåðé-óêüðïõ Ìé÷áÞë, ðïõ åß÷å äéáäå÷èåß ôïí Áèçíáãüñá, üôáí åêåßíïò Ýãéíå Ïéêïõ-ìåíéêüò ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò.

ÌÝ ôçí åíèñüíéóÞ ôïõ, Ýîé åâäïìÜäåò áñãüôåñá, ôçí 1ç Áðñéëßïõ 1959, óôç ÍÝá Õüñêç, ï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò ÉÜêùâïò áíÝëáâå ôá çíßá ôçò ÅëëçíéêÞò Ïñèïäïîßáò óôï Äõôéêü Çìéóöáßñéï, ðïéìåíÜñ÷çò óå ðëÞñùìá äéáìïé ñáóìÝíï óå 350 ðåñßðïõ ôüôå êïéíüôçôåò, äéáóêï ñðéóìÝíåò óå êÜèå Üêñç ôçò á÷áíïýò åðéêñÜôåéÜò ôïõ.

Eðáêüëïõèï ôçò ìáæéêÞò ìåôáíÜ-óôåõóçò ÅëëÞíùí óôéò áñ÷Ýò ôïõ áéþíá, ç Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞ Âïñåßïõ êáé Íïôßïõ ÁìåñéêÞò ïñãáíþèçêå åðßóçìá ôï 1922. ÕðïäïìÞ êáé èåìÝëéá áðÝêôçóå êõñßùò óôá 18 ÷ñüíéá ôçò áñ÷éåðéóêï ðßáò Áèç-íáãüñá. Ïñãá íþèçêáí ïé åðéóêïðéêÝò ðåñéöÝ ñåéåò, ó÷çìáôßóôçêå Áñ÷éåðé-óêïðéêü Óõìâïýëéï ãéÜ íá åíéó÷õèåß ï ñüëïò êëÞñïõ êáé ëáïý óôá êïéíÜ ôçò Åêêëçóßáò, éäñýèçêå ç ÈåïëïãéêÞ Ó÷ïëÞ Ôéìßïõ Óôáõñïý êáèþò êáé ç Áêáäçìßá Áãßïõ Âáóéëåßïõ. ÐáñÜëëçëá, ïñãáíþ-èçêå ç ÅèíéêÞ Öéëüðôù÷ïò åíþ ôá ãñá-öåßá ôçò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò ìåôáöÝñèçêáí áðü ôçí Áóôüñéá, óôç óçìåñéíÞ Ýäñá ôçò, óôï Ìáí÷Üôáí. Ôï Ýñãï ôçò åíßó÷õóçò êáé äéåýñõíóçò ôüóï ôùí êïéíïôÞôùí üóï êáé ôùí éäñõìÜôùí ôçò Áñ÷éåðé óêïðÞò, óõíå÷ßóôçêå êáé óôçí ïêôáåôßá ôïõ Áñ÷éåðéóêüðïõ Ìé÷áÞë (1951-58).

ÁíáëáìâÜíïíôáò ôï âáñý êáèÞêïí ôïõ, ï Áñ÷éåðßóêï ðïò ÉÜêùâïò ãíþñéæå êáëÜ üôé ôá äýï ðåñßðïõ åêáôïì ìýñéá ôïõ Åëëçíïñèüäïîïõ ðïéìíßïõ ôïõ, åß÷áí áíÜãêç ðëïçãïý óôï äéÜâá ôïõò ðñïò ôçí áíáãíþñéóç êáé ôçí áðïäï÷Þ, óôçí êáôáîßùóç ôïõò óôï ìùóáúêü ôùí åèíï-ôÞôùí ôçò ðëïõñáëéóôéêÞò ÁìåñéêÞò. Êáôáíïïýóå ðëÞñùò ôéò áíáðüöåõêôåò ôñéâÝò êáé äéáöïñÝò áíÜìåóá óôïõò ðñùôïðüñïõò êáé ôïõò áðïãüíïõò ôïõò, ôçò ðñþôçò, äåýôåñçò êáé ôñßôçò ãåíåÜò. Áñèçêå óôï ýøïò ôùí ðåñéóôÜóåùí êáé Ýãéíå ç ðñïóùðïðïßçóç ôïõ Åëëçíïñ-èüäïîïõ Áìåñéêáíïý, ôáãìÝíïò óôéò æùôéêÝò äçìïêñáôéêÝò áñ÷Ýò ôçò õéïèå-ôçìÝíçò ðáôñßäáò ôïõ, áëëÜ êáé èåìáôï-öýëáêáò ôùí äéá÷ñïíéêþí áîéþí ôïõ

Åëëç íéóìïý, äéáôçñþíôáò áëþâçôåò ôéò ïñèüäïîåò ñßæåò, ðíåõìáôéêÝò êáé åêêëç-óéáóôéêÝò, ðïõ ðçãÜæïõí áðü ôç ÌçôÝñá Åêêëçóßá, ôï Ïéêïõìåíéêü Ðáôñéáñ÷åßï Êùí óôáíôéíïõ ðüëåùò.

TñéÜíôá åðôÜ ÷ñüíéá áñãüôåñá, ç æùôéêüôçôá êáé åíüôçôá ôçò Åêêëçóßáò óôçí ÁìåñéêÞ åßíáé ðáóéöáíÞò. Ôï Ýñãï ôïõ Ýêäçëï ðñïò êÜèå êáôåýèõíóç. ÐÞñå ìÝôñá ãéÜ ôçí êáëýôåñç ïñãÜíùóç ôùí êïéíïôÞôùí êáé õéïèåôÞèçêáí ïé íÝïé ïìïéüìïñöïé êáíïíéóìïß. Áíáóýíôáîå ôçí Áñ÷é åðéóêïðÞ, éäñýïíôáò åðéóêïðÝò óôç èÝóç ôùí ìÝ÷ñé ôüôå åðéóêï ðéêþí ðåñéöå-ñåéþí, áíõøþíïíôáò Ýôóé ôïõò âïçèïýò ôïõ åðéóêüðïõò óå êõñßáñ÷ïõò åðáñ-÷éïý÷ïõò êáé ìÝëç ôçò íåïðáãïýò Åðáñ-÷éáêÞò Óõíüäïõ. Çôáí ìéá ðñùôüãíùñç, áíéäéïôåëÞò êáé áõôüâïõëç ðáñá÷þñçóç åêêëçóéáóôéêþí ðñïíïìßùí éåñÜñ÷ç ðñïò Üëëïõò åðéóêüðïõò, êÜôé ðïõ ï Áñ÷éåðß-óêïðïò ÁìåñéêÞò ÉÜêùâïò áðïöÜóéóå åðéæç ôþíôáò ôçí áðïêÝíôñùóç êáé ôçí êáëýôåñç åîõðçñÝôçóç ôùí ÷ñéóôéáíþí.

ÁíáâÜèìéóå ôï ñüëï ôïõ Áñ÷éåðé-óêïðéêïý Óõìâïõ ëßïõ, ôçò ÅèíéêÞò Öéëï-ðôþ÷ïõ êáé êõñßùò ôùí áíÜ äéåôßá Êëçñé-êïëáúêþí Óõíåëåýóåùí, ðïõ ç óçìáóßá ôïõò óôçí äéáêõâÝñíçóç ôçò Åêêëçóßáò åßíáé áíõðïëüãéóôç. ÅéóÞãáãå íÝåò äïìÝò óôçí ßäéá ôçí Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞ, ìÝ ôìÞìáôá Íåïëáßáò, Åêðáßäåõóçò, Êáôç÷çôéêÞò Ðáéäåßáò, Åðéêïé íùíéþí, ÉåñáðïóôïëÞò ê.á., åíþ öñüíôéóå ãéÜ ôçí åäñáßùóç êáé åðÝêôáóç éäñõìÜôùí üðùò ï Ïßêïò Åõãçñßáò Áãßïõ Ìé÷áÞë óôï Ãéüíêåñò, Í.Õ. ÌåôÝôñåøå ôïí «Ïñèüäïîï Ðáñá-ôçñçôÞ» óå ïõóéáóôéêü ü÷çìá åðéêïé-íùíßáò êáé åíçìÝñùóçò ôùí áíÜ ôç ÷þñá åëëçíïñèüäïîùí êïéíï ôÞôùí. Éäñõóå ôçí «Çãåóßá ôùí Åêáôü», Ýíá óçìáíôéêü åèíé-êü ðñüãñáììá óôï ðëáßóéá ôïõ ïðïßïõ äçìéïõñãåßôáé Ýíá ìüíéìï ðñïéêï äüôçìá ãéÜ ôçí Åêêëçóßá êáé ôéò áíÜãêåò ôçò.

ÌÝ ôçí ðáéäåßá ðñþôéóôï ìÝëçìÜ ôïõ, ï Áñ÷éåðß óêïðïò ÉÜêùâïò áíáäéïñãÜíùóå åê âÜèñùí ôç ÈåïëïãéêÞ Ó÷ïëÞ Ôéìßïõ Óôáõñïý óôï ÌðñïõêëÜéí Ìáóá÷ïõóÝôçò -ðñïóèÝôïíôáò êáé ôï Åëëçíéêü ÊïëÝãéï- êáé åðéäßùîå ìÝ åðéôõ÷ßá ôçí ðëÞñç áíáãíþñéóÞ ôïõò ùò éóüôéìùí ìÝ ôéò áíôßóôïé÷åò ó÷ïëÝò ôùí ÇÐÁ, ôùí åëëç-íéêþí Ðáíåðé óôçìßùí êáé ôçò ×Üëêçò. Óôü÷ïò ôïõ, ðïõ õëïðïéÞèçêå êáôÜ ôïí êáëýôåñï ôñüðï, Þôáí íá áðïêôÞóåé ç Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞ áõôÜñêåéá êáé åðÜñêåéá êáôáñôéóìÝíùí èåïëüãùí êëçñéêþí, áëëÜ êáé ëáúêþí ãçãåíïýò åðéìüñ öùóçò ìÝóá áðü Ýíá åêðáéäåõôéêü êÝíôñï, êáý÷çìá ôçò Ïñèïäïîßáò.

Äåí õðÜñ÷åé óðïõäáéüôåñç äéáêïíßá, ðéóôåýåé ï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò ÉÜêùâïò, áðü ôï Ýñãï ôçò Åêêëçóßáò ãéÜ ôïõò íÝïõò. Ãñáöåßá Íåïëáßáò ìÝ äñáóôÞñéá óôåëÝ-÷ùóç ëåéôïõñãïýí êáé ðñïóöÝñïõí Ýñãï ü÷é ìüíï óôçí Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞ, áëëÜ êáé óå êÜèå åðéóêïðéêÞ ðåñéöÝñåéá. Óõíåéäçôüò ðñïóôÜôçò áëëÜ êáé åìðíåõóìÝíïò êáèïäç ãçôÞò ôùí íÝùí, ï Óåâ. Áñ÷éåðß-óêïðïò ÉÜêùâïò óõìðÜó÷åé êáé óõì-ìåôÝ÷åé åíåñãÜ óå êÜèå ðñïóðÜèåéá ðïõ Ý÷åé óôü÷ï ôç íÝá óïäåéÜ åëëçíïñèüäï-îùí óôéò ÁìåñéêÝò. Ðëçí ôùí Üëëùí, Ý÷åé ðñïóùðéêÜ âïçèÞóåé óôéò óðïõäÝò ôïõò ðÜìðïëëïõò öïéôçôÝò èåïëïãßáò áðü ôéò ÇíùìÝíåò Ðïëéôåßåò, ôïí ÊáíáäÜ, ôçí ÅëëÜäá êáé Üëëåò ÷þñåò.

Åêêëçóßá äåí åßíáé ìüíï ôï ôåëå-ôïõñãéêü Þ êáé ëáôñåõôéêü ìÝñïò ôçò èñçóêåßáò. Åêêëçóßá åßíáé ïé Üíèñùðïé. Êáé ï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò ÉÜêùâïò, ìéá ïëüê-ëçñç æùÞ, Ýäåéîå ôß óçìáßíïõí ãéá áõôüí ïé ëÝîåéò êïéíùíßá, ðïëéôåßá êáé êõñßùò áíèñþðéíá äéêáéþìáôá.

Å÷ïíôáò ìåãáëþóåé óôçí Ôïõñêßá, ãíþñéóå áðü ðñþôï ÷Ýñé ôïõò åîåõ-ôåëéóìïýò êáé ôç óôÝñçóç, ðïõ áðïôåëïýí êáèçìåñéíüôçôá ãéá êÜèå êáôáäõíá-

óôåõüìåíï ëáü, ãéá êÜèå êáôáðéåóìÝíï Üíèñùðï. Áðü Ýöçâïò óôñáôåýôçêå õðÝñìá÷ïò ôüóï óôá áíèñþðéíá äéêáéþ-ìáôá üóï êáé óôéò ðïëéôéêÝò êáé êïéíùíéêÝò åëåõèåñßåò êÜèå ëáïý. «Áðå÷èÜ íïìáé ôá êáèåóôþôá ðïõ äåí óÝâïíôáé ôá äéêáéþ-ìáôá ôùí ðïëéôþí ôïõò», åßðå óå óõíÝí-ôåõîÞ ôïõ ôï 1973.

Ôï êßíçìá ãéá ôá ðïëéôéêÜ êáé êïéíù-íéêÜ äéêáéþìáôá ôùí ìáýñùí óôéò Çíù-ìÝíåò Ðïëéôåßåò, óôéò áñ÷Ýò ôçò äåêáåôßáò ôïõ ’60, óõíåðÞñå ôïí Áñ÷éåðßóêïðï ÉÜêùâï, ðïõ Ýñéîå üëï ôïõ ôï êýñïò êáé ôçí ðñïóùðéêÞ åðéññïÞ ôïõ óôï ðëåõñü ôùí ðåñéèùñéïðïéçìÝíùí èõìÜôùí ìéáò Üäéêçò äéÜêñéóçò. Ôï 1965 ðÞãå óôç ÓÝë-ìá ôçò ÁëáìðÜìá, üðïõ óôï äñüìï ãéá ôï Ìïíôãêüìåñé, óôç èñõëéêÞ ðïñåßá, âÜäéóå ìðñïóôÜñçò, ÷Ýñé-÷Ýñé ìå ôïí Äñ. ÌÜñôéí Ëïýèåñ Êéíãê, áôåíßæïíôáò ôï üíåéñï ãéá éóüôçôá üëùí ôùí Áìåñéêáíþí.

«Ç ÅëëçíéêÞ Ïñèüäïîïò Åêêëçóßá åßíáé åíáíôßïí ôùí öõëåôéêþí äéáêñßóåùí», äéáêÞñõîå ôéò äýóêïëåò åêåßíåò ìÝñåò, êñáôþíôáò áðü ôï ÷Ýñé Ýíá ìáýñï ðáéäÜêé. «Ç Âáóéëåßá ôùí Ïõñáíþí áíÞêåé óôá ðáéäéÜ ôçò ïéêïõìÝíçò» öþíáîå, êáôáôÜóóïíôáò ôç óêçíÞ óôéò óõãêëïíé-óôéêüôåñåò óôéãìÝò ôçò æùÞò ôïõ.

Ìå åíåñãçôéêüôçôá õðïóôÞñéîå ôçí õðåñøÞöéóç ôùí íïìïèåôçìÜôùí ãéá ôá ðïëéôéêÜ äéêáéþìáôá ôïõ ’64. «Äüîá óïé ï Õøéóôïò», áíáöþíçóå üôáí ôï ðñþôï íïìïèÝôçìá øçößóôçêå. «Åßèå íá áðïôå-ëÝóåé áñ÷Þ ìéáò íÝáò åðï÷Þò ãéá üëç ôçí áíèñùðüôçôá, ìéáò åðï÷Þò óôçí ïðïßá ï Ëüãïò ôïõ Èåïý èá ÷áñÜóóåé êáé èá êáôåõèýíåé ôç æùÞ ìáò», åßðå.

Ãíþñéæå üìùò üôé ïé íüìïé äåí ìå-ôñïýí, áí äåí åöáñìïóôïýí óôçí ðñÜîç: «Åßíáé êáèÞêïí ìáò» Ýãñáøå óå åãêýêëéü ôïõ ðñïò ôïí êëÞñï ôçò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò, «íá äéáöùôßóïõìå êáé íá ðåßóïõìå ôïõò ÷ñéóôéáíïýò ôïõò ïðïßïõò õðçñåôïýìå, üôé ç åöáñìïãÞ ôùí íÝùí íïìïèå ôçìÜôùí áðïôåëåß éåñÞ õðï÷ñÝùóç üëùí ìáò».

ÌÝ óôü÷ï ôçí ðñïþèçóç óôåíüôåñùí äåóìþí áíÜìåóá óôéò ðïéêßëåò ïñèüäïîåò äéêáéïäïóßåò óôéò ÇíùìÝíåò Ðïëéôåßåò, ßäñõóå ôï 1960 ôç ÄéáñêÞ Óýíïäï Êáíï-íéêþí Ïñèïäüîùí Åðéóêüðùí Áìåñéêþí (SCOBA), ðïõ Ý÷åé íá åðéäåßîåé óçìáíôé-êüôáôï Ýñãï. Ðáó÷ßæïõìå, Ý÷åé äçëþóåé ï Óåâáóìéüôáôïò, «ãéá äéåèíÞ êáôáíüçóç, ãéá áíèñùðéóôéêÞ áëëçëåããýç, ãéá ðñáã-ìáôéêÞ åéñÞíç óôçñéãìÝíç óôç äéêáéïóýíç êáé ôçí áîéïðñÝðåéá êáé ãéá ôç óõíå÷é-æüìåíç ðáñïõóßá ôïõ Èåïý êáé ôçí áíÜìåéîÞ Ôïõ óôç óùóôÞ ðïñåßá ôçò óýã÷ñïíçò éóôïñßáò».

Êáé óôç äéåèíÞ ðáëáßóôñá ï Áñ÷éåðß-óêïðïò ÉÜêùâïò óôÜèçêå ðñüìá÷ïò ôùí áíèñþðéíùí äéêáéùìÜôùí. ÁíôéôÜ÷èçêå óôïí ðüëåìï ôïõ ÂéåôíÜì, åíþ õðïóôÞñéîå ôüóï ôï äéêáßùìá ôùí Éóñáçëéíþí ãéá åéñÞíç êáé áóöáëÞ óýíïñá, üóï êáé ôùí Ðáëáéóôéíßùí ãéá ìéá äßêáéç êáé áíèñþðéíç äéåõèÝôçóç.

Óôéò ÇíùìÝíåò Ðïëéôåßåò, ç áíáãíþ-ñéóç ôçò Ïñèïäïîßáò ìåôáîý ôùí ôåó-óÜñùí ìåéæüíùí èñçóêåõ ìÜôùí ôçò ÷þñáò, áðïôåëåß äéêü ôïõ åðßôåõãìá. Ìåôáîý ðïëëþí Üëëùí äéáêñßóåùí, ï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò ÉÜêùâïò Ý÷åé ôéìçèåß ìå ôï Ðñïåäñéêü ÌåôÜëëéï Åëåõèåñßáò, ôçí áíþôáôç äéÜêñéóç ôùí ÇÐÁ, ðïõ ôïõ áðüíåéìå ôï 1980 ï Ðñüåäñïò Ôæßìé ÊÜñôåñ. Åðßóçò, ôï 1986, ôïõ áðïíåìÞ-èçêå ôï ÌåôÜëëéï ÔéìÞò ôïõ Åëéò Áúëáíô, ôçò éóôïñéêÞò áõôÞò ðñþôçò åéóüäïõ ìåôá íáóôþí óôéò ÇÐÁ.

Ôá åèíéêÜ ìáò èÝìáôá, Êýðñïò, Âüñåéïò Çðåéñïò, Ìáêåäïíßá êáé Áéãáßï, üëá áðïôåëïýí áóôÝñéá êåíôçìÝíá óôï ëÜâáñü ôïõ. Åîáíôëþíôáò ôéò ðñïó âÜóåéò ôïõ óôï Ýðáêñï, åßíáé áíåêôßìçôç ç óõíåéóöïñÜ ôïõ óôçí ðñïÜóðéóç ôïõ Åëëçíéóìïý êáé äåí õðÜñ÷åé ãíþóôçò ôùí

ðñáãìÜôùí, ðïõ íá ôï áìöéóâçôåß.Ç ÅëëÜäá ôïí Ý÷åé ôéìÞóåé ìå êÜèå

ôñüðï êáé ôïí èåùñåß Ýíá áðü ôá ðëÝïí äéáêåêñéìÝíá ôÝêíá ôçò. ÄåêÜäåò ìåôÜë-ëéá êáé ðáñÜóçìá ôïõ Ý÷ïõí áðïíåìçèåß êáôÜ ôéò äåêáåôßåò ôçò åêêëçóéáóôéêÞò êáé åèíéêÞò äéáêïíßáò ôïõ, óõìðåñéëáì-âáíïìÝíùí ôùí Ìåãáëü óôáõñùí ôïõ Öïßíéêïò êáé ôçò ÔéìÞò.

Ç Êýðñïò, áíáãíùñßæïíôáò ôçí ðñïóöïñÜ ôïõ óôïí êïéíü áãþíá , ôïí ôßìçóå ìå ôïõò Ìåãáëü óôáõñïõò ôïõ Ìáêáñßïõ ô êáé ôïõ Áãßïõ ÂáñíÜâá. ÐïëëÝò Üëëåò ÷þñåò ôïí ôßìçóáí áíÜ-ëïãá, åíþ ç Áêáäçìßá Áèçíþí ôïí âñÜâåõóå ìå ôï ÷ñõóü áñéóôåßï ôçò. ÁèÞíá êáé Èåóóáëïíßêç, üðùò êáé ðïëëÝò Üëëåò ðüëåéò ôçò ÅëëÜäáò êáé ôçò ÁìåñéêÞò, ôïí áíáêÞñõîáí åðßôéìï äçìüôç ôïõò êáé ôïõ Ý÷ïõí åðéäþóåé ôï ×ñõóÜ ÊëåéäéÜ ôïõò, åíþ ðÜíù áðü óáñÜíôá ðáíåðéóôÞìéá êáé êïëÝãéá ôïí áíáêÞñõîáí åðßôéìï äéäÜêôïñÜ ôïõò.

ÃéÜ ôï Ïéêïõìåíéêü Ðáôñéáñ÷åßï êáé ôï èåóìü ôïõ, ï Éìâñéþôçò êëçñéêüò ôñÝöåé áìÝñéóôç áãÜðç. Ïé ðñïóðÜèåéÝò ôïõ íá áëáöñýíåé ôïí áóöõêôéêü êëïéü ôùí Ôïýñêùí óôï ÖáíÜñé, ÷ñïíïëïãïý-íôáé áðü ôçí åðï÷Þ ðïõ Þôáí Ðáôñéáñ÷é-êüò åêðñüóùðïò óôç Ãåíåýç.

Ôéò ìáýñåò ìÝñåò ôïõ ÓåðôÝìâñç 1955, üôáí öáíá ôéóìÝíá óôßöç óêüôùóáí, âßáóáí, ëåç ëÜôçóáí, Ýêáøáí, ìüëõíáí êáé óýëçóáí êÜèå ôé Åëëçíéêü êé Ïñèüäïîï óôçí Ðüëç, îåóÞêùóå ôçí ðáãêüóìéá óõíåßäçóç. Ôï ßäéï êáé óå êÜèå ðñüêëçóç ôùí Ôïýñêùí óôéò äåêáåôßåò ðïõ áêï-ëïýèçóáí, êõìá ôïèñáýóôçò êáé óõíÜìá óêëçñüò áíôß ðáëïò óôéò Üíïìåò äéáèÝóåéò ôïõò.

Ìéá áýñá ìåãáëïóýíçò ðåñéâÜëëåé ôïí Áñ÷éåðßóêï ðï ÉÜêùâï. Ðñïêáëåß áõèüñ ìçôï óåâáóìü êáé ìéá áêáôÜó÷åôç åðéèõ ìßá íá ôïí ãíùñßóåéò âáèýôåñá. Áðü áðüóôáóç, ç åðéâëçôéêÞ öéãïýñá ôïõ, ìå ÷ñõóï ðïßêéëôá Üìöéá Þ ìå áðëÜ ìáýñá ñÜóá êáé êáëõììáý÷é, öáíôÜæåé áêáôÜ-ëõôç... Ãéá ôïõò ðëçóßïí, ôï Üäïëï ðáéäéêü ÷áìüãåëü ôïõ, ôï óðéíèçñïâüëï êáé ðÜíôá íåáíéêü ðíåýìá ôïõ, åßíáé ìéá üáóç äñïóéÜò óôá ðñïâëÞìáôá ôçò çìÝñáò.

Óôçí êáñäéÜ ôïõ ÅèíÜñ÷ç-Áñ÷é-åðéóêüðïõ äåí ðÜëëåé ìüíï ç Ïñèïäïîßá, ìá êáé ôï ÃÝíïò, ç ÅëëÜäá. Ìå ôá äéêÜ ôïõ ëüãéá:

«Çìáóôáí ðÜíôïôå ëáüò, ðïõ áðï-æçôïýóå ôï öùò, ôçí õðüôáîç ôïõ óêï-ôáäéïý, ôçí åëåõèåñßá, ôçí áñßóôåõóç, ôçí õðåñï÷Þ, ôéò íÝåò åìðåéñßåò. Ìáò Üñåóå íá öôéÜíïõìå öôåñÜ êáé íá ðåôïýìå ðÜíù áðü ôï óýííåöá ôùí êáéñþí, íá öôéÜíïõìå êáñÜâéá êáé í’ áõëáêþíïõìå ôç èÜëáóóá ôùí åõêáéñéþí. Ìáò Üñåóå íá âãáßíïõìå óå áãþíá äñüìïõ ìå ôï ÷ñüíï êáé íá ôïí îåðåñíïýìå. Êé áõôÜ, èá îáíáãßíïõìå áðü ìüíïé ìáò. Áñêåß ôï ðáñåëèüí ìáò íá ôï êñåìÜóïõìå óôï ëáéìü ìáò öõëáêôü, óáí éåñü ðñïóùðéêü ðéóôåýù ìáò êáé ÷ñÝïò. Ôüôå èá ìðïñÝóïõìå íá äþóïõìå êáé-íïýñéï ïñéóìü, ðåñéå÷üìåíï êáé ìïñöÞ óôéò èåìåëéþäåéò åëëçíéêÝò êáé ÷ñéóôéá-íéêÝò áîßåò êáé áñ÷Ýò, ðÜíù óôéò ïðïßåò, áíáâéïýìåíåò, èá ’ôáí äõíáôü íá ïéêïäï-ìÞóïõìå ôï ìÝëëïí ôïõ Åëëçíéóìïý».

Ëßãïé ïé ôõ÷åñïß ãéá ôïõò ïðïßïõò ç Éóôïñßá áñ÷ßæåé íá ãñÜöåé ðñïôïý ïé ßäéïé ðåñáôþóïõí ôï Ýñãï êáé ôçí ðñïóöïñÜ ôïõò. Êáé ï ÁìåñéêÞò ÉÜêùâïò, äéêáéù-ìáôéêÜ óõíôÜóóåôáé ìáæß ôïõò.

ÅîÞíôá äýï ÷ñüíéá óôçí õðçñåóßá ôçò Åêêëçóßáò êáé ôïõ ÃÝíïõò, ìå ðíåýìá ðÜíôá íÝï êáé ðñïïäåõôéêü ðáñÜ ôá 85 ÷ñüíéá ôïõ, ï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò ÁìåñéêÞò ÉÜêùâïò èÝëçóå ìüíïò ôïõ íá ðáñáäþóåé ôç óêõôÜëç, áíèéóìÝíç, óå êÜðïéïí Üëëï áãùíéóôÞ. Ïëõìðéïíßêçò êé ï ßäéïò, ìå ðïëëÜ ÷ñõóÜ ìåôÜëëéá êáé êïôßíïõò ôéìÞò, äéÜëåîå ôá åêáôü÷ñïíá ôùí Ïëõìðéáêþí Áãþíùí ãéá ôç äéêÞ ôïõ áíáóýíôáîç, ôá äéêÜ ôïõ åðéíßêéá. Óå ìáò äåí ìÝíåé ðáñÜ íá ãêñåìßóïõìå ôá ôåß÷ç êáé íá ôïí õøþóïõìå óôéò êáñäéÝò ìáò, ì’ Ýíá ìåãÜëï åõ÷áñéóôþ.

ΙΑΚΩΒΟΣ:Πορεία Ζωήςu óåë. 19

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ΠΡΩΤΟΣΤΑΤΗΣ ΣΤΟΥΣ ΑΓΩΝΕΣ ΓΙΑ ΤΑ ΕΘΝΙΚΑ ΔΙΚΑΙΑ

1992-1993 – Ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Ιάκωβος ηγείται των κινητοποιήσεων και των διαδηλώσεων στην Ουάσινγκτον και στα Ηνωμένα Έθνη για το Μακεδονικό.

Με τονσημερινό

Πρωθυπουργότης Ελλάδος

Κώστα Καραμανλή

σε παλιότερη συνάντησή

τουςστην Αθήνα.

Με τοντότε Πρωθυπουργότης ΕλλάδοςΚωνσταντίνο Μητσοτάκηστο γραφείο τουστις αρχέςτης δεκαετίαςτου 1990.

Με τον αείμνηστο Πρόεδρο της Ελληνικής Δημοκρατίας Κωνσταντίνο Καραμανλή.

Με τον αείμνηστο Πρωθυπουργό της Ελλάδος Ανδρέα Παπανδρέου.

Με τον πρώην Πρόεδρο της Ελληνικής Δημοκρατίας Κωστή Σταφανόπουλο.

Ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Ιάκωβοςμε τον πρώην Πρωθυπουργότης ΕλλάδοςΚώστα Σημίτηκαι τονΑρχιεπίσκοπο ΑμερικήςΔημήτριο κατά τηνεπίσκεψη του Ελληνα πρωθυπουργούστην Νέα Υόρκητο 2002.

Father Athanasios Michalos

Archbishop Iakovos places relics in altar

In reverent memory of

Him Eminence Archbishop IAKOVOSIn honor of his many pastoral visits

especially on the occasion of our Consecration,

June 18, 1989

The Assumption (Koimisis of the Theotokos) Greek Orthodox Church

21800 Marter Road, St. Clair Shores, Michigan

Proistamenos Associate PriestFather Michael Varlamos

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

In the Archbishop’s ancestral home in Imvros with His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bar-tholomew to whom he had just submited his resignation, August 15, 1995.

His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Archbishop Iakovos and Archbishop Deme-trios of America shared a meal during the Patriarch’s last visit to the U.S., in March 2004.

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.

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 Patriarch’s hand-written note. “I am grateful to you for all these and your love expressed in many different ways,” he writes.

Archbishop Iakovostogether with

Archbishop Demetrios andDr. Anthony Limberakis

present ArchbishopAnastasios of Albaniawith the AthenagorasHumanitarian Award

on behalf of the Archonsof the Order of St. Andrew

the Apostle,February 18, 2001

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Celebrating his 92nd birthday in 2003 with many of his spiritual children and friends. Pictured with Louis and Helen Nicozisis.

The People’s Archbishop

Archbishop Iakovos loved baseball and loved children. He would not miss a chance to butt. A 4-year-old Nicole Triantafi lou welcomes the Archbishop at Houston International Airport with a bouquet of roses in 1969. Assisting her is her mother Presvytera Diane Triantafi lou.

Christmasat the Archdiocese

were alwaysa joyful time.

Children gatheredaround the Archbshop

to listen to his storiesand get his blessing.

Even when it was no longer easy for him to travel, he wouldn’t 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 ac-companied to his car by Archbishop Demetrios and Jerry Dimitriou.

Clergy-Laity Congress of

1996.

ThePhilopto-

chos makes a pilgrimage

to EllisIsland

and the Arcbishop,

who ac-companies them, stud-ies the long list of immi-

grant names inscribed

on a stone ledge.

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