To the Most Reverend Hierarchs, the Reverend Priests and Deacons, the Monks and Nuns, the Presidents and Members of the Parish Councils of the Greek Orthodox Communities, the Day, Afternoon, and Church Schools, the Philoptochos Sisterhoods, the Youth, the Hellenic Organizations, and the entire Greek Orthodox Family in America

Beloved in Christ,

Christ is Risen!

On behalf of our Holy Eparchial Synod, I write to you as we prepare to observe the passing of forty days since the falling asleep in the Lord of our beloved spiritual leader Archbishop Iakovos. As we remember this deeply respected servant of God during this Paschal season, we come together as a family strengthened by the triumph of the Risen Christ over death and renewed by the promise of eternal life with Him.

Accordingly, on Sunday, May 22, 2005, at our Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New York, NY, we will be offering a forty-day Memorial Service at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy for the repose of the soul of Archbishop Iakovos, and all parishes of our Holy Archdiocese are directed to do likewise.

May God grant eternal rest to the soul of our beloved Archbishop Iakovos, and may his memory as an outstanding servant of His Church be eternal.

With paternal love in the Risen Christ,

+ DEMETRIOS
Archbishop of America