Athens News Agency: News in English, 01-09-15

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Thousands of mourners attend Kazantzidis funeral

[02] New Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem officially installed

[01] Thousands of mourners attend Kazantzidis funeral

Legendary singer Stelios Kazantzidis whose soulful voice in postwar Greece expressed both the pain and hope of generations of working class families, far-off emigrants and the descendents of refugees from Asia Minor was buried on Saturday in Elefsina, east of Athens.

Kazantzidis, who turned 70 on Aug. 29, died at an Athens hospital on Friday after a months-long battle with cancer.

Thousands of people attended a mass at the Elefsina Metropolitan Cathedral and the beloved singer's funeral shortly after.

[02] New Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem officially installed

JERUSALEM (ANA I. Afendouli) The new Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, Palestine, Syria, beyond Jordan River, Cana of Galilee & Holy Zion, Irineos I, was installed on Saturday during a centuries-old ecclesiastical ceremony at the Cathedral of the Anastasis (Resurrection) here.

In leading Greeces high-ranking delegation at the ceremony, Greek President of the Republic cited what he called the unreserved support of the Greek state towards Irineos efforts, while expressing a hope that the ?friendly states of Israel, Jordan, along with the Palestinian administration, will aid the ancient Patriarchate in its mission.?

On his part, Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos praised the new Jerusalem Patriarch, expressing his confidence that Irineos I will successful deal with the complicated issues facing the Patriarchate in the Holy Land.

Christodoulos, the high-profile head of the influential Church of Greece, also cited what he called a pending Church initiative against terrorism. In the wake of the shocking terrorist strikes in the United States, Christodoulos called for the unabashed condemnation of ?those who choose violence and blind terrorism?.

Finally, both Jordanian monarch Abdallah II and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat issued decrees corroborating the election of the new Jerusalem Patriarch. Conversely, the Israeli government had still not issued such a decree by press time.

Stephanopoulos was accompanied by Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou, Deputy FM Grigoris Niotis and a delegation from Greeces Parliament. Besides Christodoulos, a representative from the Ecumenical Patriarchate and other Orthodox Patriarchates representatives attended as well.

Irineos, who was born on Samos, had served as Exarch of the Holy Sepulchre in Athens for several years prior to his election.

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