Εβδομάδα Είναι … Και Κυλάει

28 Jan 2008 07:29:00

Sources: ΝΕΤ, ΝΕΤ 105.8- ΑNA-ΜPA

Leader of Greek Orthodox Church, Archbishop Christodoulos died of cancer at 05:15 on Monday. cHe refused hospital treatment in the final weeks of his life and died at his home in Psyhico.  His doctors respected his will and did not transfer him to hospital.  His close aides and senior clergy were at his bedside as his health started gravely deteriorating since yesterday afternoon.  His body was transferred to Laiko Hospital at 07:15, where forensic doctor Mr. Koutsafis performed the embalming to preserve the body till the day of his funeral.

Next Archbishop Hristodoulos body will lie in state for three days at the Athens Cathedral and his funeral will be held with state leader honors and flags will fly at half mast.  Public services and schools will be closed on the day of his funeral.

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Jerusalem Patriarch Theofilos will attend his funeral.  Prime-minister Kostas Karamanlis, in his message, expressed his deep grief for the death of “an enlightened hierarch whose pastoral work brought the Church near the society and contemporary problems.  The directness and simplicity of his words, his strength and love for Greece are invaluable examples for the clergy of the Greek Church.  His courage and patience during his difficult personal battle against the disease has deeply touched our hearts. The Holy Synod, chaired by Karysteias Metropolitan Serafim, is expected to convene at noon.

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