Father Jacob Myers: friend of the poor - funeral services to be held this weekend

The rector of St. John the Wonderworker Orthodox Church in Atlanta reposed in the Lord on Wednesday, January 16, 2013 around 8 p.m. after what his church described as a sudden, devastating illness.

"He was a really good priest, one who helped the homeless, those sometimes rejected by their own families, those embarrassed by their condition," said Fr. George Pallas, protopresbyter at Holy Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church in Marietta, Ga.

Myers (ctr) was not afraid to help others. (Church photo)

Born Phillip Myers October 24, 1948 in Springfield, Ill. and aligning himself early with non-denominational religious groups, Myers used what he learned in Northwestern University's business school to help society's neglected. 

Moving from the West Coast in 1986, Myers was received into the Eastern Orthodox Church, came to Atlanta where he was ordained, and established Blessed John Orthodox Church, the first church to be named for Saint John Maximovitch of Shanghai and San Francisco in the United States. In 2000, his church was received into the Orthodox Church in America, an independent branch of Orthodox Christianity, and became known as The Church of St. John the Wonderworker on Cherokee Street.

Myers was devoted to ancient Christian precepts, exercised brotherly love, and was committed to intense daily prayer. He started the church's Loaves and Fishes ministry which provides hot food for the underprivileged twice daily, five days a week.

Speaking of Myers as a monumental servant focused on harmony and Christian outreach, Paul Lundberg wrote in his "the eastern light" blog about the man known as Father Jacob and the church he loved. "The parish of St. John the Wonderworker reminds us...that unity can and does occur at the grassroots level. More importantly, it reminds us that unity comes as a blessing for doing the will of God, simply and devotedly," Lundberg said.

Myers developed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) last Fall and spent time in Colorado for treatment. Recently, however, he contracted the flu and never recovered. After a staph infection and sepsis were also diagnosed, he was placed in an induced coma in ICU but succumbed, surrounded by family, church members, and friends.

Myers, 64, is survived by his wife, Rebecca, two daughters, a grandson, siblings, nieces, and nephews.

His body will lie at the church at 543 Cherokee Avenue on Friday, January 25th starting at 3 p.m. Psalter readings will be performed as people pay their last respects. The Funeral Service will take place at 7 p.m. On Saturday, January 26th at 9 a.m., the Funeral Memorial Liturgy will be held. The procession to Greenwood Cemetery will follow, with graveside prayers and internment.

A meal will be offered to the Loaves and Fishes men and women in Father Jacob's memory afterwards. A reception will also be held at the Orthodox Greek Cathedral, Cathedral of the Annunciation, after the graveside service.

In memory of Myers, donations can be made to the Loaves and Fishes program which he stewarded and loved. Funds will go to the continuation of the pan-Orthodox ministry to the poor of Atlanta. Dennis Dunn has been tasked to manage the Loaves and Fishes ministry started by Myers.

Read more about vision for Loaves and Fishes at http://oca.org/resource-handbook/commservice/the-loaves-and-fishes-program-a-pan-orthodox-outreach-to-the-poor-of-atlant or call (404) 577-6330 for more information on how to help.