Event Celebrates Legacy of IOCC Founding Hierarch

INTERNATIONAL ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CHARITIES (IOCC)
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For immediate release
September 14, 2005
 
EVENT CELEBRATES LEGACY OF IOCC FOUNDING HIERARCH
 
Rye, NY (IOCC) – An evening celebrating the philanthropic legacy of the late Archbishop Iakovos, under whose leadership the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA) founded International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) as its humanitarian relief and development agency in 1992, brought together more than 130 people in Rye, New York on September 10.
     
Archbishop Iakovos, who reposed in the Lord on April 10, 2005, was remembered for his unfailing admonition to reach out to others in acts of Christian love as commanded by Christ.
     
One day after witnessing first-hand IOCC’s response to the calamity along the Gulf Coast of the United States, His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, current SCOBA Chairman, traveled to Rye to deliver the keynote address.
     
In his address the Archbishop recounted several instances in which he personally witnessed IOCC respond to people in need on behalf of the Church.  His Eminence related seeing IOCC’s assistance at a hospital for the disabled in the Russian Federation, the organization’s efforts to respond in the aftermath of the 9-11 tragedy in New York, and its latest actions to assist those displaced by Hurricane Katrina.   The Archbishop also highlighted IOCC’s work in Iraq and long-term development efforts in the West Bank.
     
IOCC Executive Director Constantine Triantafilou described how the philanthropic legacy of Archbishop Iakovos continues through the leadership of Archbishop Demetrios.  Triantafilou presented a recognition plaque to Archbishop Demetrios in honor of Archbishop Iakovos.
     
The pan-Orthodox event was hosted by Fr. Elias Villis and the parishioners of the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Our Saviour in Rye, New York in cooperation with the IOCC Metropolitan Committee of New York City chaired by Kimberly Adams.
     
Tributes to the late Archbishop included a video presentation featuring footage in which he implored all Orthodox Christians to “help give others their daily bread.”
     
IOCC board member Father Nicholas Triantafilou, who served as Chancellor to the late Archbishop, was the master of ceremonies for the evening.
     
A special word of thanks was also extended to Paulette Poulos, the long time administrator to the late Archbishop for her unfailing service to the Church.
     
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Parlamis underwrote the dinner with proceeds benefiting the worldwide humanitarian mission of IOCC.  Mr. Parlamis also offered remarks in which he implored those in attendance to be more philanthropic.