According to the schedule that has been announced, the body of the former king left the First Cemetery shortly after 05:00 and arrived at 5:45 at the chapel of Agios Eleftherios next to the Metropolitan Church, where access is free until 10.30 for whoever wishes to pay tribute.
With strict security measures and the presence of high-ranking guests, the former King Constantine, who passed away at the age of 83 last Tuesday, following a serious health issue he faced in recent weeks, is being buried today as a private person.
According to the schedule that has been announced, the body of the former king left the First Cemetery shortly after 05:00 and arrived at 5:45 at the chapel of Agios Eleftherios next to the Metropolitan Church, where access is free until 10.30 for whoever wishes to pay tribute.
Then, at 12 noon, the Exodious Mass will be held in the Metropolis of Athens, presided over by the Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Hieronymos, while the Synodal High Priests-members of the Permanent Holy Synod will also participate. At the request of the family, access to the Metropolitan Church will be restricted to their guests. At the funeral of the former King Constantine, the government will be represented by its vice-president, Panagiotis Pikrammenos, and the Minister of Culture and Sports, Lina Mendonis.
The arrangement of seats will be based on protocol. Archbishop Hieronymos, who will lead the Exodus Procession, will be at the Beautiful Gate and next to him, right and left, will be the 12 synodical metropolitans, 6 and 6. Then, immediately after, the choir of the temple and in front of the Despotic Throne will be the family: his late wife Anna Maria, his children, his sisters, the honorary Queen Sofia of Spain and Irene.
To the left of the family will be the current heads of state. Namely, the royal couples of Spain, the Netherlands, Sweden, Queen Margarita of Denmark, Prince Albert of Monaco and Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg. Behind them, the former kings and the heirs to the thrones will follow.
On the list of dignitaries who will attend the Exodus Procession are approximately 60 Greeks, who were close friends, former classmates of the late King Constantine, businessmen and politicians. Also present will be the representative of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Metropolitan Theodoritos of Laodicea and representatives of Autocephalous Orthodox Churches.
According to information, the eldest son of the former King Constantine, Pavlos, is expected to give a eulogy, while his coffin will be carried by Pavlos, Nikolaos (his second son) and Pavlos’ two eldest sons.
The farewell ceremony is expected to end at 13:00 and then the motorcade will start to Tatoi, where the former King Constantine will be taken to his last residence, next to the graves of his ancestors. During the motorcade, motorcyclists and Police patrol cars will constantly control the crossing, while an EL.AS helicopter. will follow the procession and give an image to the operations center of the Hellenic Police.
His burial will follow in the former royal estates of Tatoi. Specifically, in the cemetery of the Church of the Resurrection, a trisayo will be held and the burial will follow next to the graves of his ancestors, as he himself wished.
Afterwards, as it has become known, the family will prepare a meal for their distinguished guests at the “Great Britain” hotel, as is customary in Greece, with seafood.
Traffic regulations
From 6:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m., vehicle traffic is temporarily suspended along the entire length of Mitropoleos Street, and in part of Aiolou and Ermou Streets. In addition, a NOTAM was issued, according to which drone flights are prohibited from 04:00 to 17:00 in the airspace of the center of Athens, Tanagra, Tatoi and in the area of ​​Dekelia. At the same time, police drones and helicopters will provide an image of the operational center of the Attica Police Directorate, while police forces will be present at key points, focusing on the Metropolis of Athens and Tatoi. Besides, the police forces that will be outside the Tatoiou estate will allow entry only to those who have a nominal invitation.
RES-EMP
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