With faith in Christ and hope in the resurrection, we share the news of the repose of Dr Aristeides Papadakis on September 16, 2023. He was born August 1, 1936, to Michael and Stephania Papadakis in Heraklion, Crete, Greece. He moved to New York City with his parents as a young child. He graduated from Holy Cross Orthodox Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, Massachusetts, and continued his studies at Fordham University, earning a research fellowship at Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection (Harvard University) in Washington D.C. After completing his Ph.D., he became a professor at the University of Maryland.
Professor Papadakis was a scholar of Byzantine, medieval, and religious history. He was the author of several books and many articles on the history and theology of the Eastern Orthodox Church, which included being asked to act as editorial consultant and contributor to the Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium. He participated and lectured at international conferences at the invitation of several universities and institutions, including the Pontifical Committee for Historical Sciences of the Vatican, the Harvard University Center for Byzantine Studies at Dumbarton Oaks, the University of London, the University of Cyprus, and Fordham University.
Dr Papadakis had great respect and love for the mission of St Vladimir's Seminary and was a long-time supporter and great friend of St Vladimir’s Seminary Press. He also co-authored (with Fr John Meyendorff) Christian East and Rise of the Papacy 1071-1452 in the Church in History Series, and Crisis in Byzantine: The Filioque Controversy in the Patriarchate of Gregory II of Cyprus (1283-1289), both published by SVS Press. He was a valued contributor to the St Vladimir’s Theological Quarterly and gave frequent lectures and presentations at major seminary events through the years.
Dr Papadakis is survived by his sister-in-law, Georgia, nieces Anna (David) and Xanthe, his nephew Michael (Carmen), great nephew Cole, and great niece Zoe (Niranjan).
He was a devoted member of the community of St Nicholas Cathedral in Georgetown, Washington D.C.
Friends and family will always remember Aristeides for his gracious manners and gentle spirit.
A memorial service will take place at 10:30 a.m. on September 25th at St. Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral in Washington D.C.
Interment at Rock Creek Cemetery immediately following the service.
May the memory of Dr Aristeides Papadakis be eternal!
Article adapted from devolfuneralhome.com.
