It is with deep sadness and hope in the resurrection that we announce the falling asleep in the Lord of His Grace Bishop Timothy (Bakakos) of Hexamilion on Thursday, November 20, 2025, surrounded by the prayers of the clergy and faithful he served for more than four decades. He was 73. A beloved hierarch, devoted shepherd, and tireless servant of the Church, Bishop Timothy
leaves behind a legacy marked by pastoral compassion, deep humility, and unwavering dedication to Christ and His people.
Born in Chicago, Illinois in October of 1952, His Grace was the second of four sons of the late Demosthenes and Antonia. He was preceded in death by his brother William (Althea) and is lovingly remembered by his brothers Gregory D. (Siree) Bakakos and Michael D. (Amy) Bakakos. He was a loving uncle to Christopher, Nicholas, Alex, Stephanie (Dominick), Antonia (Christopher), and Timothy, and a cherished great-uncle to Ariana, Joshua, Anthony, Nikolas, Cameron and Luca.
His Grace was raised and spent his childhood and teen years at the Assumption (Panagia) Church of Chicago, where he attended the Sunday Church School and Greek School programs, as well as serving as an altar boy and participating in the youth programs of the parish. He was a product of the Chicago Public School System, where he attended Lane Technical High School for three years before moving with his family to Park Ridge, finally completing high school at Maine Township High School South.
In September of 1970, after being nurtured by his parish priests, the Rev. Theodore Thalassinos, the Very Rev. Kallistos Samaras (later Bishop Kallistos of Zelon), and the Rev. Demetrios Treantafeles, he began his seminary studies at Hellenic College/Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, Massachusetts. With the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Iakovos of North and South and South America, His Grace commenced a year of international studies at the Pierce College in Greece. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree from Hellenic College in 1973 and his Master of Divinity from Holy Cross in 1978.
Upon completion of his studies, he accepted a position with the City of Chicago as Northwest Director for the Department of Social Human Services. Through this post, His Grace assisted Greek-Americans and other Orthodox Christians secure employment, emergency food aid, dignified housing, financial assistance, and other social services from the City of Chicago. On September 14, 1980, he was ordained to the Holy Diaconate, and later, on October 5 of the same year, he was ordained to the Holy Priesthood by His Grace Bishop Iakovos of Apameia (later Metropolitan of Chicago). In 1984, he was bestowed with the rank of Archimandrite.
As a clergyman of the Metropolis of Chicago for forty-five years, His Grace served as the presiding priest of Saint Elias the Prophet Church in Dubuque, IA (1980-1985), Saint Sophia Church in Elgin, IL (1985-1997), Saint Nicholas Church in Oak Lawn, IL (1997- 2006), and Assumption Church in Chicago, IL (2006-2019). In addition to parish ministry, His Grace served as President of the Metropolis of Chicago Clergy Syndesmos (1999-2004) and represented the clergy brotherhood on the Archdiocesan Presbyters Council from 1997-2014. His Grace also served as a member of the Archdiocesan Benefits Committee (1997-2006).
In addition to his ecclesiastical responsibilities, His Grace also served as Staff Chaplain for the Illinois Department of Mental Health at the Elgin Mental Health Center (1987-1997).
On September 1, 2019, he assumed the responsibilities of Chancellor of the Holy Metropolis of Chicago.
At the petition of His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael, and by the recommendation of the Holy Eparchial Synod of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate unanimously elected him Bishop of Hexamilion on October 6, 2020, and was ordained on December 5, 2020 at the Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Merrillville, IN. As an Auxiliary Bishop of the Church, His Grace continued his service as Chancellor of the Metropolis through March of 2025.
His Grace will be remembered for his profound love for the Church, his wise counsel, and his selfless service.
Funeral services will be announced shortly.
May his memory be eternal, and may the Lord grant him rest among the righteous.
