"We in the Episcopal Church join with our brother and sister Christians everywhere in mourning the loss of Archbishop Iakovos who led the Greek Orthodox Church in the Americas for some 37 years and who departed this life on April 10, 2005. He was a champion of ecumenism who fostered dialogue with other Orthodox churches, Episcopalians, Lutherans, Southern Baptists, and other denominations, as well as standing always for human rights and the dignity of every human being. As the Greek Orthodox prepare to celebrate the Easter Feast, may they be comforted by the assurance that Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and giving life to those in the tomb."
The Most Rev. Frank T. Griswold
Presiding Bishop and Primate
The Episcopal Church, USA
