Iakovos (Garmatis) of Chicago

His Eminence Metropolitan Iakovos (Garmatis) of Chicago (1928 – 2017) served the Metropolis of Chicago for the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America from 1979 to 2017.

He was elected to the episcopacy by the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople in 1969, and consecrated as Bishop of Apameia later that year, and appointed to the Diocese (Seventh District) of Detroit as Bishop of that district. He was enthroned by His Eminence Archbishop Iakovos of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America on May 1, 1979, as the Bishop of Chicago at the Annunciation Cathedral. In November 1997, the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate elected His Grace Bishop Iakovos of Chicago to the active Metropolitanate of Chicago and Exarch of Ionias.

Beginning his higher education in Athens, Greece, and continuing his studies and service in the Boston area, Metropolitan Iakovos was appointed Archdiocesan Vicar of the Diocese of Detroit by Archbishop Iakovos in February 1968. One year later, he was elevated to the rank of Bishop by the Holy See of Constantinople. He was consecrated Bishop of Apameia (an Auxiliary Bishop of Archbishop Iakovos) on Christmas Day of 1969, and appointed to the Diocese of Detroit as Bishop of that district.

In 1971 he was appointed President of Hellenic College and Holy Cross School of Theology in Brookline, Massachusetts, while remaining as administrative overseer of the Diocese of Detroit. He simultaneously served as the Bishop of the New England area during his five-year tenure as President of Hellenic College and Holy Cross School of Theology.

After assuming the position of Presiding Hierarch of the Diocese of Chicago in 1997, Metropolitan Iakovos characterized his tenure by his many initiatives. Under his leadership the Metropolis has increased its efforts to assist the homeless and those in need, as witnessed in the labors of the Diocesan Philanthropy Committee. He founded new Youth programs, established various local Dialogue Commissions with other faith communities, and worked with other area religious leaders in promoting justice and truth in our society. Various other programs of the Diocese established by Metropolitan Iakovos include the Bishop Iakovos Scholarship Assistance Program, the Bishop's Task Force on AIDS, the Diocese Junior Olympics, the Diocese Dance Festival, as well as numerous programs in religion and Greek education.

In 2002, the Diocese of Chicago was elevated to a Metropolis, and Metropolitan Iakovos became its first Metropolitan. The Metropolis of Chicago consists of 34 parishes in Illinois, with another 24 parishes in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, northern Indiana, and eastern Missouri. The general offices of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago are located in Chicago, Illinois.

Succession box: Iakovos (Garmatis) of Chicago
Preceded by: ?	Bishop of Apameia (Detroit) (Greek) 1969-1978	Succeeded by: Timothy (Negrepontis)
Preceded by: Demetrios (Makris)	Bishop of Apameia (Boston) (Greek) 1974-1978	Succeeded by: Anthimos (Drakonakis)
Preceded by: Timotheos	Metropolitan of Chicago (Greek) 1979-2017	Succeeded by: Nicholas of Detroit (locum tenens)

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Source

• Metropolitan Iakovos of Chicago from the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago

External links

• Listing on the Orthodox Research Institute
• Chicago Tribune obituary]