Condolence: His Eminence Metropolitan Iakovos of the Greek Orthodox Church has Fallen Asleep in the Lord

His Eminence, Archbishop Demetrios
Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in America
Geron of America
8 East 79th Street
New York, NY 10075

Your Eminence,

We were deeply saddened upon hearing the news of the falling asleep of His Eminence, Metropolitan Iakovos of Chicago. Upon my arrival to the United States in 2009 to shepherd the newly established Diocese of South-West America of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church we have known Metropolitan Iakovos through his tireless service to the Metropolis of Chicago. We are mindful that when our previous Catholicos, H.H. Baselios Mar Thoma Didymos I of the blessed memory, visited Chicago in 2006 for his first Arch Pastoral visit to the United States, Metropolitan Iakovos was present during the felicitation meeting.

Many of our Malankara Orthodox faithful in the Chicagoland area have been blessed by visiting and participating in the different diocesan and parish level events hosted by the Metropolis, especially the youth-oriented events like Fanari and Orthodox Christian Fellowship. Metropolitan Iakovos was gracious in allowing our Chicago area parishes to use the resources of the Chicago Metropolis, such as use of parishes and the St. Iakovos Retreat Center, and give the blessing to the Priest from the Metropolis to speak at our youth events to help strengthen them in our common Orthodox Faith.

On behalf of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church Diocese of South-West America, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Your Eminence, to the Metropolitans, Bishops, clergy, monastics, and faithful of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.

May our Lord God grant His Eminence, Metropolitan Iakovos eternal rest and a blessed repose,

Memory Eternal!

Sincerely,

Metropolitan Alexios Mar Eusebius