Greece's beloved and charismatic Archbishop Christodoulos was laid to rest on Thursday at Athens' First Cemetery with the full head of state honors, following a funeral ceremony officiated by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholemew I (Vartholomeos).

The funeral was attended by representatives of all the Orthodox Churches around the world, President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias, Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis, Greek political party leaders and Ambassadors to Greece.

The Ecumenical Patriarch also delivered the eulogy for the late Christodoulos, who passed away at dawn on Monday at his home in Psychico, following a seven-month battle with cancer.

The funeral ceremony commenced at 10 a.m., following the arrival of President Papoulias, who was preceded by the prime minister and almost the entire Greek government, representatives of the political parties and parliament, delegates of the foreign embassies, Church of Greece bishops, and representatives of other Christian denominations and faiths, while thousands of people packed the roads and squares near Cathedral, where they followed the service from loudspeakers.

Eulogies were also delivered by Metropolitan Anthimos of Thessaloniki, representing the Church of Greece, Education and Religious Affairs Minister Evri-pides Stylianidis, who represented the government, Parliament President Dimitris Sioufas and Athens Mayor Nikitas Kaklamanis.

Source: Athens News Agency

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