BOSTON, United States | Two decades after his passing, Archbishop Iakovos—the trailblazing leader who reshaped the Greek Orthodox Church in America and stood at the forefront of the U.S. civil rights movement, was commemorated at a moving tribute hosted by the Huffington Ecumenical Institute (HEI) of Hellenic College Holy Cross (HCHC).
The event gathered clergy, scholars, and faithful to honor the Archbishop’s enduring influence on the Church, his pioneering role in interfaith dialogue, and his moral leadership during a pivotal era in American history.
HCHC President Dr. Demetrios Katos opened the tribute by reminding attendees that Archbishop Iakovos was more than a historical figure. “As we mark this twentieth anniversary of his repose, we remember a history and we renew a legacy,” Katos said.
Archbishop Elpidophoros of America underscored the continuing relevance of Iakovos’s moral courage and advocacy for civil rights. “The labors and legacy of Archbishop Iakovos may be more important in our day than in his,” he said. “His leadership and championing of civil rights … feels very much needed in our own day.”
The program featured the premiere of a new documentary, Iakovos: In His Own Words, followed by panel discussions exploring his theological vision, commitment to education, and social activism.
Dr. Nicholas Ganson discussed Iakovos’s understanding of Hellenism, while His Grace Bishop Anthony of Synada reflected on his role in advancing Greek and religious education. Rev. Dr. Nicolas Kazarian examined the Archbishop’s groundbreaking ecumenical work with the World Council of Churches and his historic participation in the 1965 Selma to Montgomery march alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Dr. James Skedros highlighted how Iakovos’s advocacy for racial justice and Cypriot self-determination stemmed from personal experience. “His motives were driven by his commitment to the Gospel and his own personal experiences of being a second-class citizen in Türkiye,” he noted.
A second panel-featuring Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco, Paulette Poulos, Fr. Peter Orfanakos, and Dr. Lewis Patsavos—offered personal recollections of the Archbishop’s humility and faith. “The Lord … often introduces us to our greatest teachers in the most unlikely ways,” Metropolitan Gerasimos said, describing Iakovos as a spiritual mentor who shaped his life profoundly.
Poulos, who served as the Archbishop’s longtime assistant, spoke of his compassion and unwavering devotion to faith and Hellenism, qualities that defined him until his death in 2005.
The tribute concluded with a memorial service at Archbishop Iakovos’s gravesite, marking not only remembrance but renewal of a vision rooted in faith, justice, and unity—values that continue to inspire new generations.
