Churches of Cyprus and the World Bid Farewell to His Beatitude Archbishop Chrysostomos II
A Solemn Funeral at the Cathedral of the Apostle Barnabas in Nicosia
The funeral service of His Beatitude Archbishop Chrysostomos II of Nea Justiniana and All Cyprus, was held on Saturday 12 November 2022 at the Cathedral of the Apostle Barnabas in Nicosia, Cyprus, after he passed away on Monday 7 November 2022.
During the funeral, Churches’ bells rang in Cyprus and flags outside Churches and on all public buildings flown half-mast. The service was presided over by His Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, Archbishop of Constantinople and New Rome. The body of the Archbishop of Cyprus was exposed for public pilgrimage in the Cathedral of the Apostle Barnabas, from Thursday 10 till the morning of Saturday 12 November 2022. In addition, a Book of Condolences was opened at the Office of His Beatitude the late Archbishop Chrysostomos II.
Attendees were Heads of Orthodox Churches Patriarchs, representatives of Churches’ families, Patriarchates and other religions, Bishops and Priests, along with the Middle East Council of Churches represented by its Secretary General Dr. Michel Abs, as well as religious people and political, social and official leaders…, who all came to Cyprus from all over the world. The service was also attended by the President of the Hellenic Republic Katerina Sakellaropoulou, the President of the Republic of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades, members of the Council of Ministers, as well as
His Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I addressed an eulogy and said, “Your name will always be held in the highest respect in our memory and in the history of the entire Church and our people. All you have done will be eternally remembered before God and humanity.”
From his end, Church overseer His Eminence His Eminence Metropolitan Georgios of Paphos, also delivered an eulogy in which he praised His Beatitude Archbishop Chrysostomos II, describing him as “greatest reformer" and an untiring defender of his people's rights and aspirations. He said, “He left behind a body of work before which time itself will bow and he has taught us that humans justify their fleeting passing through this world struggling for the common good.”
Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades praised the late Archbishop and described him as an “indefatigable leader” whose service made him “an acclaimed spiritual personality internationally." He added “I had the honor of knowing a hierarch who did not hesitate to directly express his opinion, regardless of whether this would displease his interlocutor or even a section of society.”
Following the funeral Prayer, the priests carried the coffin of Archbishop Chrysostomos II in a procession. At the exit of the Church, the honor guard played the national anthem, and then members of the National Guard carried the coffin to the crypt underneath the Cathedral. It was prepared by the Archbishop of Cyprus while he was alive.
On the fortnight, the Holy Synod of the Church of Cyprus decided that a Divine Liturgy will be held daily in the Cathedral Church of Apostle Barnabas, for the repose of the soul of the Archbishop.
According to the sources, a successor to His Beatitude Archbishop Chrysostomos II will be elected once the Holy Synod, the Church's highest decision making body, will be convened. It is worth mentioning that Church leaders in Cyprus are elected by lay voters and clerics, as the tradition goes back to many centuries.
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