Archbishop of Cyprus Chrysostomos II was laid to rest on Saturday in a crypt beneath Apostle Varnavas Cathedral, near the Archbishopric, exactly 16 years after his enthronement on November 12, 2006.
The Archbishop died on Monday, aged 81, following a battle with cancer.
The funeral service was officiated by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, who visited Cyprus for the first time, together with the members of the Holy Synod, and was attended by religious, political and other officials, as well as many people.
As church bells tolled, following the funeral, Chrysostomos’ open casket was led away to a crypt beneath the Cathedral. Before being entombed, clerics removed his outer golden vestments, covered him in muslin and doused the shroud with oil in the sign of the cross, chanting Byzantine hymns.
During the burial an army contingent paid tribute firing three shots in the air outside the Archbishopric. House President Annita Demetriou was among those who were present at the burial.
Source: Cyprus News Agency