'Iákovos Athanásios
| The Reverend Father 'Iákovos Athanásios | |
|---|---|
 Fr._Iakovos_Athanasios.jpeg | |
| Native name | Ἰάκωβος Αθανάσιος |
| Pronunciation | ee-AH-koh-vos ah-thah-NAH-see-ohs |
| Born | Joshua Jake Vogel Miller July 18th, 1988 San Antonio, Texas |
| 🏡 Residence | Glendale, Arizona |
| 🏳️ Nationality | German-Dutch American |
| 🏫 Education | S.T.L. | Convergent Catholic Communion | 2022
Bachelor's Degree of General Studies | Ashworth College | 2023 Master's of Ancient History | American Public University | In Progress |
| 💼 Occupation | Independent Eastern Catholic Priest | Middle School Teacher |
| 🏢 Organization | Convergent Catholic Communion |
| Movement | Independent Catholicism |
| 🌐 Website | https://www.facebook.com/JakeVogelMiller |
The Reverend Father 'Iákovos Athanásios (Jake Miller), S.T.L. B.A., is an American Independent Eastern Catholic Priest.
Rev. Fr. Iakovos Athanasios (Fr. Jake) was born on July 18th, 1988 and baptized in the Presbyterian Church (USA) on August 7th, 1988.
After moving to NYC in 2011, Fr. Jake began attending St. Mary the Virgin, an Anglo-Catholic Episcopal Church where he received the sacraments of Confirmation, Chrismation, and first communion on April 7th, 2012.
As his calling to priesthood beckoned, Fr. Jake realized that neither the Roman nor Episcopal Church fully resonated with his spiritual path. While exploring New Religious Movements in one of his college courses, he discovered the Independent Sacramental Movement and, after years of personal study and discernment, was ordained on All Souls Day in 2018. Taking up the role of rector at St. Gregory the Great Orthodox Catholic Church, an Independent, Western Rite, Orthodox Church in Springfield, Oregon.
In 2019, Fr. Jake moved to Texas, becoming co-rector at St. Justin Martyr Independent Orthodox Church in Dallas. However, due to the COVID pandemic, the church was forced to close its doors, prompting Fr. Jake to explore new opportunities that aligned with his evolving beliefs, and in June of 2021, he found a spiritual home in the Convergent Catholic Communion, joining as a member of the Communion, and founding Prodigal Son Eastern Catholic Church. Driven by a thirst for knowledge and personal growth, Fr. Jake pursued further studies and completed his S.T.L. (Licentiate of Sacred Theology) with the Convergent Catholic Communion in November 2022.
In June of 2023, after graduating with a Bachelor of General Studies, Fr. Jake followed the call to Phoenix, Arizona, where he set out to complete his master’s in Ancient History, start a new career as a school teacher, and serve as the Canon Precentor for the Byzantine Rite at the Cathedral Church, Solomon's Porch.
Fr. Jake continues to serve as the Canon Precentor and is an active member of the Liturgical Committee in the Convergent Catholic Communion. Grace-filled, with love and a dedication to fostering unity and inclusivity, he believes that Convergent Catholicism can bring about a profound spiritual harmony to the catholic (universal) Body of Christ.
Significant Dates:[edit]
- July 18th, 1988 - Born - San Antonio, Texas
- August 7th, 1988 - Baptized - Presbyterian Church U.S.A
- April 7th, 2012 - Confirmed/Chrismated/First Communion - St. Mary the Virgin Episcopal Church
- November 2nd, 2018 - Ordination - Apostolic Church of Alexandria
- September 1st, 2019 - Reception into Orthodoxy - Universalist Orthodox Church
- June 2021 - Incardinated into the Convergent Catholic Communion
- November 11th, 2022 - Received S.T.L. - Convergent Catholic Communion
- June 2023 - Received Bachelors Degree - Ashworth College
