The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America announced the passing of Bishop Timothy (Bakakos) of Hexamilion, who fell asleep in the Lord on November 20, 2025, at the age of 73.
A native of Chicago and a lifelong servant of the Church, Bishop Timothy served as an Auxiliary Bishop of the Metropolis of Chicago, devoting over forty years to priestly ministry until his elevation to the episcopacy in 2020. His gentle pastoral demeanor and steadfast dedication to Christ’s flock earned him the love and respect of clergy and laity alike.
Yesterday afternoon, Archbishop Elpidophoros of America presided over a memorial service in memory of Bishop Timothy at the Chapel of the Archdiocese of America.
Bishop Timothy (nee Gerasimos) was born in Chicago, Illinois, in October 1952 to the late Demosthenes and Antonia Bakakos. He was raised in the historic Assumption (Panagia) Greek Orthodox Church, where he was deeply involved in the church from a young age: he attended Sunday School and Greek School, served as an altar boy, and participated in the parish’s youth activities. He received his early education in the Chicago public school system, attending Lane Technical High School and graduating from Maine Township High School South in Park Ridge, Illinois. In 1970, with the guidance and encouragement of his parish priests—Rev. Theodore Thalassinos, Rev. Demetrios Treantafeles, and the late Bishop Kallistos of Zelon—he answered the call to the priesthood and enrolled at Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, Massachusetts to prepare for a lifetime devoted to ministry. He received his Bachelor of Science in 1975 from Hellenic College and his Master of Divinity in 1978 from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology. During these formative years, His Grace spent a year studying at Pierce College in Athens, Greece.
After completing his theological and pastoral training, he returned to Chicago and served the community through a variety of roles. He worked as Northwest Director for the City of Chicago’s Department of Human Services, where he helped Greek-American and other Orthodox families secure employment, housing, food assistance, and other vital support. On September 14, 1980, he was ordained to the Holy Diaconate, and on October 5, 1980, he was ordained to the Holy Priesthood by Bishop Iakovos of Apameia (later Metropolitan Iakovos of Chicago). In recognition of his devoted ministry, he was elevated to the rank of Archimandrite in 1984.
For the next four decades, Father Timothy led several parishes across the Midwest with unwavering dedication. He served as presiding priest of St. Elias the Prophet Church in Dubuque, IA (1980–1985), St. Sophia Church in Elgin, IL (1985–1997), St. Nicholas Church in Oak Lawn, IL (1997–2006), and finally his childhood parish, Assumption (Panagia) Church in Chicago, IL (2006–2019). Beyond his parish duties, he was a respected leader among his brother clergy: he served as President of the Metropolis of Chicago Clergy Syndesmos (1999–2004) and represented the Chicago clergy on the Archdiocesan Presbyters Council for many years. He also served on the Archdiocesan Benefits Committee and extended his pastoral care beyond the parish by working as a Staff Chaplain at the Elgin Mental Health Center (1987–1997), ministering to those in need of spiritual comfort.
In September 2019, Father Timothy was appointed Chancellor of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago, working closely with His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael in the administration of the Metropolis. At the petition of Metropolitan Nathanael, and with the blessing of the Holy Eparchial Synod, he was unanimously elected to the episcopacy by the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and named Bishop of Hexamilion on October 6, 2020. He was consecrated as a bishop on December 5, 2020, at the Cathedral of Saints Constantine and Helen in Indiana, and thereafter continued to assist Metropolitan Nathanael in hierarchal and pastoral ministry across the Metropolis.
In March 2025, after six years of distinguished service as Chancellor, Bishop Timothy stepped aside from his administrative duties to assume a new role as Senior Advisor to Metropolitan Nathanael, devoting more time to the pastoral care of parishes while continuing to serve as Spiritual Advisor to the Metropolis of Chicago Philoptochos Society, the women’s philanthropic ministry of the Metropolis. At that time, Metropolitan Nathanael praised Bishop Timothy for having “dutifully served the people, communities, and institutions of the Metropolis of Chicago with the grace and humility of a servant of God,” calling him a “faithful partner and trusted advisor” in ministry. Even as his health declined in recent months, His Grace remained a source of spiritual comfort and wisdom to the faithful.
Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, who visited Bishop Timothy just last month to convey the love and support of the entire Archdiocesan community during his intensified health challenges, will travel to Chicago this coming Tuesday, November 25, to preside over the funeral services for Bishop Timothy at Assumption Greek Orthodox Christian Church in Chicago surrounded by hierarchs, clergy, and faithful who will gather in prayer for the repose of his soul.
Bishop Timothy of Hexamilion will be remembered for his unwavering faith, compassionate heart, and lifelong dedication to Christ’s Church. With nearly 50 years of ordained service, he was a spiritual father to countless faithful, offering guidance, comfort, and Christian love to all who approached him. As the Church mourns the loss of this humble and devoted hierarch, it also gives thanks for the gift of his example and ministry.
May his memory be eternal.
