Posted on 01/28/2008 7:27:35 AM PST by rightwingintelligentsia
ATHENS, Greece (Jan. 28) -- The leader of Greece's powerful Orthodox Church, Archbishop Christodoulos, who eased centuries of tension with the Vatican but was viewed as reactionary by his liberal critics, died Monday. He was 69.
Christodoulos, who headed the church for a decade, was first hospitalized in Athens in June before being diagnosed with cancer of the liver and large intestine.
He spent 10 weeks in a hospital in Miami but an October liver transplant operation was canceled when doctors discovered the cancer had spread. He refused hospital treatment in the final weeks of his life. He died at his home in the Athens suburb of Psyhico, church officials said.
The Interior Ministry announced four days of national mourning and said Christodoulos would be buried on Thursday with full state honors. Across the country flags flew at half-staff, including atop the ancient Acropolis and on the parliament building.
The archbishop's flag-draped coffin was taken to the cathedral in Athens, where his body will lie in state until his funeral. Hundreds of people began gathering outside to pay their respects.
Christodoulos was elected church leader in 1998 and is credited with reinvigorating the vast institution that represents 97 percent of Greece's native born population.
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Dang. The head of the Mormons died yesterday
May he rest in peace.
Do religious leaders die in threes like celebrities seem to do? If so, I do hope The Pope is feeling well...
May he rest in peace.
A bit of trivia: “Christodoulos” is actually Gov. Charlie Crist’s real family name. His father was the one who had it shortened.
I wonder if there’s a connection that landed the Archbishop in a Miami hospital? Or it may just be coincidence.
I don’t think he is actually the head of all Orthodoxy. The big cheese lives in Constantinople/Istanbul.
Rest in Peace
RIP.
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