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State Funeral for Former Cypriot President George Vassiliou on Saturday

Published January 16, 2026, 16:13
State Funeral for Former Cypriot President George Vassiliou on Saturday

The state funeral for former President of the Republic George Vassiliou will be held on Saturday with honors befitting a serving President and at public expense. The President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, and the Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs, Giorgos Gerapetritis, will attend the ceremony and deliver eulogies. The body will be transferred to the Holy Church of Hagia Sophia with a military escort, followed by honors from a guard of honor and the playing of the national anthem. After arriving at the church, the family will receive condolences from 11:30 am, while the funeral service will begin at 1:00 pm, in the presence of political and state leadership. In addition to President Christodoulides and Minister Gerapetritis, eulogies will be delivered by the Rector of the University of Cyprus, a colleague of the deceased, and his son. A short message is also expected to be read by an associate of former Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci. After the service, wreaths will be laid by representatives of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, as well as by political parties. The burial will take place at the Aglantzia Municipal Cemetery, after a motorcade, with a salute of honor from a military guard of honor. The Council of Ministers has declared public mourning in Cyprus until the day of the funeral, honoring the long and important journey of George Vassiliou.