The life, his work, major conflicts and the course of the leadership of the Church of Greece - The disease, interventions, the trip to America and the end
At 5.15 the morning of 28 January 2008, Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos died, Losing the battle that gave over seven months with the damned disease. Earlier doctors, his close associates and many priests rushed to the Archbishop's house in Psychiko………
The archbishop came to his residence, as doctors respected the wish not to be transferred to hospital as,Whatever happen to him. The body of the archbishop then exposed to three days shrine, while the funeral was head of state values.
Who was Archbishop Christodoulos
Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos was born 1939 Xanthi and studied Law and Theology. Charismatic from his youth, Doctor of Theology, degree in French and English, connoisseur of Italian and German, ordained deacon in 1961 and the elder 1965.
Nine years was a preacher in the church of the Dormition (Panagitsa) Faliro, and he served for seven years secretary of the Holy Synod.
youth, just 35 years, the 1974, He was elected Metropolitan of Demetrias, from where departed, when he was elected Archbishop of Athens.
He took part in many church missions abroad, and authored numerous scientific and constructive texts. He wrote to the church press, and in newspapers.
Among recent publications stand : “Hellenism converted. The transition from antiquity to Christianity”, “The soul of Europe”.
Monumental considered his work, which is also his thesis at the University entitled : “Historical and Normal view of the old calendar issue during its genesis and evolution in Greece”, while detailed studies considered for Meletios Pegas and the Divine Passion.
His work at the head of the Church of Greece
The 1998, after the death of Archbishop Seraphim, were three finalists: Christodoulos Dimitriadis, the Thebes Jerome and then Alexandroupolis (now Thessaloniki) Anthimos. Elected Archbishop of Athens and All Greece, the Demetrias from Christodoulos, which caused a sensation in the public opinion from the first moment she started reading it “passenger” His speech in the crowded metropolitan church of Athens.
Very fast, all spoke to the archbishop, calling on the youth to approach the Church “as it is, even with the earring”, He apologized by young people for what were not of the greatest, and immediately he began to deal with the revitalization of all the service of the Church and especially of charitable sector.
Under his leadership, promote the work of the Church solokliro social sector. Established new organizations covering areas, as bioethics, care for addicts, the battered woman, a single mother. Finally, he founded the Non-Governmental Organization “Solidarity” through which great humanitarian aid is provided, global.
Even in communicating the Church intervened dynamically, leading to the new world of digital age, he founded the internet service, while creating digital library 9 languages, gallery, mousikothiki and cultural news portal in Greek and English.
The events that marked the tenure of
The archbishop with his word, either from the pulpit, or at events, either in statements, provoked reactions. commented positively, and negative.
Two major events have marked the early years of tenure: the conflict with the government K. Simitis for the indication of religion on identity cards, which began in spring 2000 and employed for about two years public opinion, while immediately after the crisis began with the Ecumenical Patriarchate which lasted until 2004 and ended with the intervention of -tote- Education Minister Marietta Giannakou.
For the first time ever, the 2001 It is beginning to emerge that the archbishop will be received in Athens the then Pope John Paul II, which before seemed unthinkable happen. There were some reactions, there have been announcements of fanatics, But the archbishop himself manages primarily convinces bishops and the Pope visits Athens, at the invitation of the then President of the Republic C.. Stephanopoulos.
In the archbishop's Palace, presence of members of the Holy Synod, the Pontiff apologized for the suffering of the past. Archbishop begins the first to applaud and follow the Synodal Hierarchs. The ice between the two Churches, at that time began to melt. Five years later, December 2006, Archbishop will reciprocate the visit of Pope, going to the Vatican to meet the newly elected Pope Benedict now.
Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens, He was dimofilestatos. The were many gifts. Nevertheless, often misunderstood. He simply said that all that interests him is the Church, races, roots and identity of Hellenism.
The illness
The life and activities of the archbishop began to take a different course Saturday 9 June 2007. Then they are going to visit the Patriarchate of Alexandria, few hours after a long tour in northern Greece, where tireless appeared, active, impressing everyone, after a few hours gave 19 talks.
Saturday morning, pains began, gastrointestinal disorders and fever. Not put it down, refusing to go to the doctor. Instead he wanted to make the visit in Alexandria. Close associates of, They pressured him and persuaded him to go to hospital. He entered the Aretaieio.
Initially there was concern. It was considered a simple case of incapacitation. Until the bad news struck the first bell, tumor in the intestine. Then they were subjected to surgery, and discovered the tumor in the liver.
The Pandora's box was opened. She remained for days in intensive care and then to ward. Despair began slowly circling the first coworkers and then physicians. “The situation is critical” they were saying. “Few hopes”.
Public opinion has already manifested. Faithful began to flock to the hospital Aretaieio. hundreds of messages, letters, flowers archbishop. Scientists from abroad come to consider. The situation remains critical. Until the famous Greek surgeon Andreas Tzakis, personal friend of Archbishop, who also was honored by the Holy Synod, coming to Greece to give the light of hope Archbishop. The magic word was “transplant”.
The surgery at Jackson Memorial
The surgery, scheduled for Jackson Memorial dedicated center located in Miami and headed by Andreas Tzakis. A climate of optimism is beginning to grips archbishop, his close associates, their leaders. Besides, there are many cases in Greece and even clergy already had done, in the hands of the famous surgeon, liver transplantation and living under better conditions and for years.
The archbishop leaves the hospital on 20 July. With trembling voice, visibly excited, addressed to nationwide saying phrases: “I am your Christodoulos”. Expressed hope and optimism for the second phase of the adventure of the US health. The government stands by the best. The Government aircraft at the disposal of the archbishop to take him to Miami. Stays at home in Psychiko, to leave for US, accepting friends visits, faithful and clergy. The optimism is maintained undiminished.
On Saturday 18 August runs from the military airport of Elefsina. In a climate of emotion, Archbishop says goodbye to Greece, their colleagues, friends and representatives of the government and parties, They are asking the Greeks to pray for him.
In Miami remained fifty days, until a suitable graft. Shortly before entering the Special Transplant Center, He had already paid psychologically from impatience. Expect the graft to complete the operation, longing to return to Greece.
was a Sunday 7 October, when the announced that unfortunately graft from young healthy baby donor, victim of a road. Introduced directly in the operating room, but where a few hours later, just indicate there is disease metastasis and transplantation is impossible.
In residence at Psychiko he remained until the end of the archbishop, refusing to be transferred to hospital, even when his health was beginning to deteriorate.
Immediately after returning from Miami, Archbishop began to meet with politicians, hierarchs, Primates of Churches, friends and acquaintances who expressed the desire to see him.
At 16 November visits Psychiko and left several minutes with the Archbishop, discussing Prime Minister K.. Karamanlis. At 21 November, the leader of the main opposition C.. Papandreou visits the archbishop and has a long conversation with him. Follows, at 23 November the President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias.
The archbishop is going through a period that sees incessantly world. Not only does not tire, instead they want to talk and discuss with visitors.
End
The first marked signs of depression appeared a few days before Christmas. Doctors recommend alleviated visits. Archbishop obey. The pains are becoming intolerable. Doctors use very powerful analgesics, which often lead him into a deep sleep, for many hours.
New Year's Eve feels somewhat better and sitting in living room of the first floor, accepts the Prefect of Thessaloniki P.. Psomiadi who Pontian associations say carols. The archbishop addressed to young people and gives them advice and libraries for their future. It was preceded by the publication of his New Year's message to which he referred to “common fate of people which is death” and stressed the solution given only by the Christian faith.
But a few days later, It is now very difficult even to get up from bed. Doctors insist transferred to the hospital to see if there are metastases of tumors. He stubbornly refuses and 14 In January, doctors issued a statement emphasizing “further deterioration” of his health. The countdown was already.