Archbishop Iakovos, Greek Orthodox Primate of North and South America, has urged the Greek Orthodox Youth of America to become the advance guard of the nation and the world.

Speaking at the 15th annual convention of GOYA this week in Atlanta, Archbishop Iakovos told his audience, “Yours is a mission as narrow as the local need and as global as the problem of how to free man from his old self and lead him back to God... for you are the light and hope of the Church and light and hope combined will give you a deeper sense and greater understanding of the dimension of your mission.” Guests of honor at the banquet include Archbishop Paul J. Hallinan, who attended a Divine Liturgy Sunday at Agnes Scott College; the Rev. Kempton Hayes Jr., representing the Georgia Council of Churches; the Rev. John H. Allen, representing the Greater Atlanta Council of Churches; Rabbi Jacob M. Rothschild of The Temple, Atlanta; and Canon Milton L. Wood of the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta.

In brief remarks Archbishop Hallinan said he was reminded of Nicea, Constantinople, Basil, Athanasius, Chrysostom. He said Archbishop Iakovos was a “spiritual descendent of these places, cultures and holy men of God.” Archbishop Hallinan told GOYA members that the work of the great spiritual renewal will be in their hands.

“We are trying to lay the foundations, to set the directional lights, but you are joined by your Christian conviction not to let the future be set by those who do not love God.” “We pledge you our prayers for the success of your conference and we ask your prayers for the success of our Young Adults Congress,” he said.

Archbishop Iakovos said students in an institute of higher learning have constructed an imaginary town of 1,000 persons to demonstrate American responsibility in the world.

“Of the 1,000 persons, 60 would be Americans and the remaining 940 would be from all other nations,” he said. “The 60 Americans would have one-half the total income...the total life expectancy of the Americans would be a70 years, the others less than 40 years, the 60 Americans would have six and one-half times as many goods per person as the others.” “In this microcosm of the town of 1,000 we can clearly see the real meaning and extent of American responsibility, part of which belongs to you,” he said.

Archbishop Iakovos said he would like members of GOYA to know and accept their responsibility and “before you destroy one thing be prepared to build something better; and before you plan to demolish the existing institutions, try to perfect your plans for rebuilding them.”

“Our society is certainly in great need of cleanliness and renewal, but no man should start cleaning or renewing unless his hands are pure and his heart is innocent,” the Greek Orthodox prelate said.

“Your mission stems from the concept of the mission that ancient Byzantine and modern Greeks have had; that men should be free,” he said.