“Responding to Racism: The Orthodox Witness in America” – Episode 3: Archbishop Iakovos

In commemoration of Black History Month, throughout the month of February, the Department of Inter-Orthodox, Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations will release a weekly video presented by Rev. Samuel Davis, acting rector of St. Simon of Cyrene Orthodox Mission in New Brunswick NJ of the Orthodox Church in America. Each episode will highlight one important leader of the Orthodox Church in the history of its presence in the country, a presence who broke through racial tensions and redefined Orthodox missionary work. This project proposes to share a message of hope and healing towards reconciliation. It was made possible by the generosity of The Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Fund Inc.

The third video in this series highlights Archbishop Iakovos, who, despite threats and adverse reactions, marched beside Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and inspired Orthodox people to stand against discrimination and inequality. Particularly in the context of racial discrimination, Archbishop Iakovos believed to truly make a difference, we must begin in our own communities and lead by example.

Watch the episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VNSDlDp4D4

The series is also available on the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese YouTube channel.