PITSBURGH – Peter Clyde Papadakos, Esq fell sleep in the Lord on Friday, January 14.

A son of the late Archon Nicholas and Stavroula Papadakos, Peter Clyde was an engaged member of the Church his entire life, learning to chant from a young age and applying this gift at his home parish of Annunciation GOC of McKeesport, at his collegiate parish of Holy Trinity Cathedral in Camp Hill, and for more than four decades at the Dormition of the Theotokos GOC of Oakmont. He further enhanced the music ministry in the Pittsburgh area by offering free instruction in Byzantine Music (including Greek language lessons and a thorough study of the hymns and feasts) to many individuals through the years.

He was a dedicated servant of the local Diocese – now Metropolis – serving on the Council since its inception in 1979, spending most of those years as its Secretary and Legal Counsel. He was frequently involved as a co-chair or key facilitator of major events, including the 1997 Apostolic Visit of the Ecumenical Patriarch to Pittsburgh, His Eminence’s enthronement in 2011, and most recently the St. Photios Awards Banquet. He offered his love and talents to many, assisting with Greek Education, the Armonia Chorus, Youth Ministry, traveling to area parishes for feast day vespers, ordinations, funerals, and other sacraments. This he did while also remaining among the longest-participating members of the Grecian Odyssey Dancers of Ypapanti GOC of East Pittsburgh, with whom he performed 835 shows.

He excelled in his service to the national Church, representing the Diocese and Metropolis on the Archdiocesan Council for many terms, and participating with distinction on the Legal and Religious Education Committees. His Commitment to the work of the Patriarchate was recognized with his investiture as Archon Ekdikos of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in 2006, and he has furthered the work of the Order within this Metropolis as its Regional Commander for 15 years.

He is survived by his brothers James N. (Diane) Papadakos of Juno Beach, Florida and Thomas N. Papadakos of Pittsburgh, his beloved nieces and nephews, cousins, koumbaroi, friends, cantors, fellow dancers, and leadership of the Church at all levels.

Viewing took place at the Dormition of the Theotokos Greek Orthodox church of Oakmont, PA on Wednesday, January 19, his funeral on January 20 at the same church and his internment will take place on Friday, January 21 at the mausoleum of The McKeesport and Versailles Cemetery.

The family requests that donations be directed to the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Pittsburgh with the memo “Peter Clyde Memorial,” for a scholarship fund to be set up in his honor. These can be mailed to Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Pittsburgh, PO Box 645953, Pittsburgh, PA 15264-5257.