WATCH LIVE: Greeks patiently wait in massive queue to farewell former King Constantine

Former King Constantine January 16, 2022 Athens

There is a massive queue of people patiently waiting so that they can say their farewell to the late former King Constantine in the chapel of Agios Eleftherios in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens complex, with the coffin covered with the Greek flag.

 

Some of those present even sang the national anthem as they patiently waited to say goodbye to the former king.

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It is indicative that shortly before 8:30 in the morning, according to the estimates, there are more than 1,300 people in the queue. As can be seen from the photos and videos, the queue started from the chapel of Agios Eleftherios and reached almost all the way to Monastiraki square.

 

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Greek Orthodox priests in Athens centre on January 16, 2023.

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Greece's former king Constantine, who passed away at the age of 83 last Tuesday, will be buried on Monday as a private person, with strict security measures and the presence of high-ranking guests.

According to the schedule announced, the body of the former king was transferred from the first cemetery to the chapel of Agios Eleftherios next to the Athens Metropolitan Cathedral ('Mitropoli') near Syntagma Square early on Monday, where access is free until 10:30 for whoever wishes to pay tribute.

After 11:00, only those invited by the family will be allowed to enter the Metropolitan Cathedral, by request of the former king's family.

At 12:00, the funeral service, presided over by the Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Hieronymos, will be held at the Cathedral.

At the funeral of former king Constantine, the government will be represented by its vice-president, Panagiotis Pikrammenos, and the Culture and Sports Minister, Lina Mendoni.

The ceremony is expected to end at 13:00. The former king Constantine will be transferred and buried in Tatoi, next to the graves of his ancestors.

Traffic restrictions are in place from 06:00 to 14:00 on Monday around the Athens Metropolitan Cathedral. No cars will be allowed on Mitropoleos street, on Eolou street between Adrianou and Ermou and on Ermou, between Eolou and Athinas, the police said.

No cars will be allowed to stop or park on the above streets as of 22:00 on Sunday to 14:00 on Monday.

The restrictions for cars may be modified or extended, depending on current conditions

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