Athen, Jan. 28, 2008 (CWNews.com) - Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens, the leader of the Greek Orthodox Church, died on January 28 after a long battle with cancer.

The Greek prelate, who had made ecumenical history in 2001 when he welcomed Pope John Paul II to Greece, had been diagnosed with liver cancer last June. He had traveled to the US hoping for a liver transplant, but doctors in Miami found that the disease had advanced too far to allow for a successful operation.

Returning home, Archbishop Christodoulos issued a statement in late December assuring the faithful that he was approaching death with "the relief and comfort found in Christian faith." He died on Monday at the age of 69.

Government leaders in Athens announced a 3-day period of official mourning for the Orthodox prelate, who wielded enormous influence during his tenure as head of the country's dominant religious group. Archbishop Christodoulos is credited with bringing new vigor to the Orthodox faith in Greece. His leadership was decisive in breaking down centuries of enmity toward Rome among the leaders of the Greek Orthodox Church, allowing for a visit by the Roman Pontiff. The Greek prelate later returned the visit, traveling to Rome to greet Pope John Paul.