Alpha News

State Funeral for Former President George Vassiliou

Published January 17, 2026, 07:18

The state funeral for former President of the Republic of Cyprus, George Vassiliou, who passed away on Tuesday at the age of 94, is being held today with honors as if he were still in office. The funeral will take place at the Holy Church of Hagia Sophia in Strovolos at 1:00 PM, with the family receiving condolences from 11:30 AM. The burial will be held at the Aglantzia Municipal Cemetery. Funeral orations will be delivered by the President of the Republic, the Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs George Gerapetritis, the Rector of the University of Cyprus Tassos Christofides, Michalis Papapetrou on behalf of the late's associates, and his son, Evelthon Vassiliou. A short message will also be read by an associate of the former Turkish Cypriot leader, Mustafa Akinci. Today has been declared a public holiday, and a period of national mourning has been declared from Wednesday until today, Saturday, with flags flying at half-mast. Yesterday, the body of the former President was laid in state for public viewing, and a book of condolences was opened at the Presidential Palace.