This post was originally published on this site
3 June 2017
Feast of Sts. Constantine and Helen (Julian Calendar)
His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America
His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas of Detroit, locum tenens Metropolis of Chicago
All the Clergy and Faithful of the Metropolis of Chicago and the Archdiocese
Dearly beloved brothers and sisters in our Lord,
GLORY TO JESUS CHRIST!
In behalf of all the clergy and faithful of our Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA we extend sincere sympathy to you all at the repose of His Eminence Metropolitan Iakovos of Chicago. His Eminence was truly a devoted hierarch of the Archdiocese serving in many capacities throughout his long and accomplished service to God in the Holy Trinity.
We have always felt blessed by his presence amongst the hierarchs at various gatherings, including the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America. We did not know him as a forceful or assertive personality, but rather as one of humility and silence – a good listener – who always spoke with eloquence during any discussion, possessing a blessed ability to summarize the discussion, pointing the way to a conclusion satisfactory to all.
His Eminence always made us feel welcome in his presence and we are certain that he did the same for all those souls entrusted to his spiritual care over the decades of his priestly and archpastoral service. God blessed him with a long and fruitful live and a full comprehension of the love and high regard his faithful and all his brother hierarchs had for him – as a priest, hierarch, confessor, educator, administrator, compassionate caretaker for those in need and many other capacities. He will be missed by all those he served.
May His soul rest in eternal happiness and may his memory be eternal in God’s Heavenly Kingdom.
In the All-Encompassing Love of our Lord,
+ Antony, Metropolitan + Daniel, Archbishop
