Father Nicholas Nikokavouras Falls Asleep in the Lord
Father Nicholas Nikokavouras fell asleep in the Lord, on Friday, March 1, 2024 after 86 years on this earth.
Fr. Nicholas was born to Fr. Iraklis and Erasmia (née Kapodistrias) Nikokavouras in 1937 in Sfakera, of the Corfu Island of Greece.
In 1960, he was admitted to the Theological School of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. Four years later, in 1964, he received his degree in Theology. During his studies at the University of Thessaloniki he had the chance to meet His Eminence, Archbishop Iakovos of America, who was visiting Thessaloniki at that time. His Eminence asked Father to consider serving as a priest in the United States and he joyfully accepted His Eminence’s request.
On December 25, 1964, on Christmas Day Fr. Nicholas was ordained a Deacon in the Cathedral Church of Corfu. On January 1, 1965, a week later, he was ordained a priest by His Eminence, Metropolitan Methodios of Corfu, and he was assigned to the church of St. Eleftherios. In addition to his pastoral duties of that time Fr. Nicholas initiated a Catechism Program for the children and youth of Corfu. Furthermore, he was appointed to serve the spiritual needs of the service men of the military units stationed in Corfu.
In 1970, Archbishop Iakovos officially invited Fr. Nicholas to come and serve as a priest in the United States of America. Fr. Nicholas accepted the invitation and on March 22, 1973, arrived to the United States with Presbytera and his two children Erasmia and Iraklis. His Eminence appointed him as Proistamenos at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Metropolis of Chicago where he served under His Grace, the late Bishop Timotheos of Rodostolou and the late Metropolitan Iakovos of Chicago.
In 1974, the Greek Government appointed Fr. Nicholas a teacher of Greek Language and Culture at the Greek Schools of Chicago. He dutifully served the Greek Schools of Chicago as a teacher for over 25 years. For many years during this time, Fr. Nicholas presented a regular weekly religious radio program at Hellenic Radio of Chicago.
In 1979, with the support, generosity and love of the Cathedral Stewards and the Hellenic Community of Chicago, Fr. Nicholas started an extensive renovation and iconography program for the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, which he brought to fruition soon after.
In 1984, Fr. Nicholas graduated from Northeastern Illinois University with a Master’s Degree of Arts in Sociology.
In 1992, the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral celebrated its 100th Anniversary and on March 22, 2014, Fr. Nicholas celebrated 41 years of continuous ministry as Proistamenos.
Fr. Nicholas is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 61 years, Presvytera Kalliopi Nikokavouras; his two children, Erasmia Memmos (Stamatis) and Iraklis (Debbie) Nikokavouras. He was the devoted Pappou of six, Andreas, Niko, Elena, Spiro, Kalliopi and Evgenia.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, March 6, 2024 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with Trisagion Service at 7:00 p.m. at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral located at 1017 N. LaSalle Drive, Chicago, IL 60610. Funeral services for Fr. Nicholas will be held on Thursday March 7, 2024 at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral at 8:00 a.m. Orthros, following by Divine Liturgy. The funeral service will be chanted at 11:00 a.m. presided by His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael of Chicago.The burial procession will follow immediately afterward at Ridgewood Memorial Park located at 9900 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Des Plaines, IL 60016. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Annunciation Cathedral Sanctuary Fund, in loving memory of Father Nikokavouras. Complimentary valet parking will be available both days at the Cathedral.
(Obituary from dignitymemorial.com)
