Spiritual and Ecumenical Leader of Orthodox Church Dies

Archbishop Iakovos, who led the Orthodox Church from 1959 to 1996 and was known for championing religious unity and human rights, passed away at Stamford Hospital in Stamford, Conn. He was 93.

In announcing Iakovos’ passing, the current head of the Orthodox Church in America paid tribute to the one he called “a true and whole shepherd to his people.”

“I have had the great honor and joy to know Archbishop Iakovos for more than fifty years. He has been a superb Archbishop who offered to the Church an intense, continuous, multifaceted and creative pastoral activity. He has been a true and whole shepherd to his people trying day and night to teach them, to guide them, to comfort them, to encourage them, to edify them in Christ and to lead them as a loving shepherd to the 'springs of the living waters' (Rev. 7:17) of faith and life with God,” said Archbishop Demetrios of America.

Iakovos was enthroned as the spiritual leader of North and South America on April 1, 1959, and was reportedly forced into retirement in 1996 for supporting the idea of uniting the various Eastern Orthodox branches into a single American church.

Under his reign, the Orthodox Church opened its doors to ecumenical participation and religious unity. Iakovos also served for nine years as the President of the World Council of Churches and piloted the Inter-Orthodox, Inter-Christian dialogues, according to the Orthodox Church.

Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.

For more information, visit:
www.iakovos.goarch.org
www.goarch.org