Athens News Agency - 28 January 2008 - [Excerpt] The funeral of the late Archbishop Christodoulos will be held on Thursday at the Athens Metropolitan Cathedral, with full honours of Head of State, followed by the burial ceremony at Athens' First Cemetery. A four-day period of national mourning has been declared, with flags flying at half-mast on all public buildings, while on Thursday all public services and schools will remain closed.
The late Archbishop's body will lie in state for three days, with the Cathedral remaining open throughout the day and night to enable the people to pay their last respects. Flags on all public buildings will be flying at half-mast.
The Greek people were in mourning over the loss of their beloved and charismatic Archbishop, flocking to the Athens Cathedral to pay their last respects. Prime minister Costas Karamanlis, accompanied by his wife Natassa, were among the first to pay tribute to the late Archbishop on Monday, shortly after Christodoulos' coffin, draped in the Greek flag, arrived at the Cathedral.
A Book of Condolences has also been opened in the Chapel in the Cathedral's courtyard, while condolences were pouring in from all over the world.
The Holy Synod of the Church of Greece has requested those wanting to send a wreath to instead make a donation to a charitable cause or foundation.