NEW YORK - His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America, on behalf of the Holy Eparchial Synod and the faithful of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, announces with sorrow the falling asleep in the Lord, on February 16, of Archon Megas Nomophylax Peter T. Kourides, a figure of historic proportions in the history of the Holy Archdiocese of America.  

Since 1935 Peter Kourides served as the Legal Counsel of the Archdiocese and was perhaps the closest confidant of the late Archbishop Iakovos. Mr. Kourides put his stamp on the constitutional fabric of the Archdiocese, assisting the Church in America to grow and prosper within the American context. Upon learning of the passing of Mr. Kourides, Archbishop Demetrios of America issued the following statement:

On behalf of the Holy Eparchial Synod and the Clergy and Lay Faithful of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, I express our profound grief at the passing of Archon Megas Nomophylax Peter Kourides. For the majority of the history of the Holy Archdiocese of America as an institution, Peter Kourides was a guiding and driving force in the legal and institutional affairs of the Archdiocese. He began his service to the Archdiocese under the ever-blessed late Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras when he was Archbishop of America.  His service continued to the ever-memorable Archbishop Michael, and for 37 years, he was the most trusted advisor of the late Archbishop Iakovos of blessed memory. Always diligent and faithful in his pursuit of the interests and benefit of the Archdiocese, he has fallen asleep in the Lord at the age of 99, with a life full of service and accomplishment. We pray for his family, that they shall know the comfort of God during their hour of mourning, and that they shall also know the assurance of life eternal, granted to all through the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. May He grant unto His good and faithful servant Peter eternal rest. 

The funeral will be held on Monday, February 22nd at the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New York City at 11:00 a.m.