Former Cyprus President Papadopoulos laid to rest

Former President of the Republic of Cyprus, Tassos Papadopoulos, who passed away on December 12th, was laid to rest Monday.

The funeral took place at state’s expense in the Saint Sophia Church in Nicosia, in the presence of the President of the Republic Demetris Christofias, Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis, President of the House of Representatives Marios Garoyian, Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyiannis, Members of the Cypriot Cabinet, leaders of Cypriot and Greek political parties, Members of the Parliament, Mayors, the leadership of the National Guard and the Police, ambassadors, other officials, his family and friends.

The funeral service was officiated by the head of the Cyprus Orthodox Church Archbishop Chrysostomos II in the packed Saint Sophia Church in Nicosia.

The late President’s coffin was covered with the flags of the Republic of Cyprus and the Hellenic Republic and white flowers.

Honorary President of the Social Democrats Movement EDEK Vassos Lyssarides read the funeral oration. President Christofias, Archbishop Chrysostomos II, President of the House of Representatives Marios Garoyian, Christodoulos Pashiardis on behalf of the friends of the deceased and Anastasia Papadopoulou on behalf of his family read valedictory speeches.

Wreaths were laid by President Christofias, Greek Ambassador Demetrios Rallis on behalf of Greek President Karolos Papoulias, Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis, Archbishop Chrysostomos II, House President Marios Garoyian, First Vice President of the European Parliament Rodi Kratsa Tsagaropoulou, leaders of Cypriot and Greek political parties, the family, organizations, and others.

Tassos Papadopoulos was buried at the cemetery in Deftera village, near Nicosia, as a guard of honour of the National Guard played the national anthem.

Present at the cemetery where among others, the House President, Ministers, the Honoray President of EDEK, other officials, his family and many people who gathered there to bid him farewell.