Archbishop Chrysostomos to be laid to rest in Nicosia

The archbishop died on Monday, aged 81 following a four-year battle with cancer. The funeral service will be officiated by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew – who is visiting Cyprus for the first time- together with the members of the Holy Synod.

President Nicos Anastasiades will deliver the eulogy, while on behalf of the Church of Cyprus the eulogy will be delivered by Bishop of Paphos Georgios, Secretary of the Holy Synod of Cyprus, and caretaker, following the archbishop’s death.

The funeral will be attended among others by President of the Greece Katerina Sakelaropoulou, Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa Theodoros II, Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Ieronymos II and Archbishop of Thyateira and Great Britain Nikitas. During the funeral, bells will toll in mourning in all churches across Cyprus, while flags will be flying at half-mast. The late achbishop will be buried in a crypt located under the newly constructed cathedral, as was his wish.

The Archbishopric said in a statement that there will be no laying of wreaths and that people should come to the cathedral by 11:15 am. Police security measures will be increased around the Archbishopric and the cathedral. Both inside and outside the church there will be members of the Police who will ensure that everything runs smoothly.

All churches in Cyprus will hold a service in his memory on Sunday, while a service will be held every day for 40 days at the cathedral.