Early Life
- Born on the island of Imvros, Turkey on July 29, 1911 to Maria and Athanasios Coucouzis
- Given name was Demetrios
- Two sisters, Virginia and Chrysanthi, and one brother, Panagiotis
- Enrolled at age 15 in the Ecumenical Patriarchal Theological School at Halki
Early Ecclesiastical Service
- Ordained a Deacon in 1934, taking the name Iakovos (James)
- Served as Deacon to Archbishop Athenagoras who later became Ecumenical Patriarch
- Ordained to the priesthood in 1940 in Lowell, Massachusetts
- Served churches in Connecticut, New York, and St. Louis
- Appointed Dean of the Annunciation Cathedral in Boston in 1942 and served until 1954
- Became a United States citizen in 1950
- Ordained Bishop of Melita in 1954 by Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras
- Served four years as the Patriarchal representative to the World Council of Churches
Education and Academic Service
- Graduated with high honors from the Ecumenical Patriarchal Theological School at Halki
- Served in 1940 as assistant dean of the Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Theological School
- Earned a Master of Sacred Theology Degree from Harvard University in 1945
- Received honorary degrees from 40 colleges and universities
Archbishop of the Americas
- Elected on February 14, 1959 by the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate as the fourth Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in the Americas
- Enthroned April 1, 1959 at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in New York City
- Became the spiritual and administrative leader of hundreds of Orthodox churches in North and South America
- Improved parish organizations and enhanced roles of the Archdiocesan Council, the Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress, and the Ladies Philoptochos Society
- Established departments of Church and Society and Youth Ministry
- Expanded work of Saint Michael’s Home for the Aged and Saint Basil Academy
- Founded the Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Endowment Fund
- Guided the reorganization and accreditation of Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology and established Hellenic College
- Established the St. Photios National Shrine in St. Augustine, FL
- Retired after 37 years as Archbishop at the age of 85 on July 29, 1996
National and World Religious Leader
- Served nine years as president of the World Council of Churches
- Established dialogues with Roman Catholics, Protestants, and Jews
- Founded the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas in 1960
- Championed civil rights and marched with Dr. Martin Luther King in Selma, Alabama
- Initiated campaign in 1974 to assist Greek Cypriot refugees following invasion of Cyprus
- Friend to nine US presidents and religious and political leaders worldwide
- Recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, bestowed by President Jimmy Carter on June 9, 1980
- Awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor in 1986
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