A large crowd gathered today at the Holy Church of Hagia Sophia to say goodbye to the third President of the Republic of Cyprus, George Vasiliou, whose body is on public display until 5 PM. The funeral service and burial will take place tomorrow with the honors of a sitting head of state, on a day declared an official holiday.
His wife, Androulla Vasiliou, described the deceased as a “MAN in every sense of the word,” a tireless fighter for his country and people. She emphasized his deep concern for the reunification of Cyprus, saying that even in his last days, his eyes would light up when discussing the Cyprus issue: “It was his greatest concern… Let us hope that our dream will come true.”
Mrs. Vasiliou spoke about their unique relationship, describing her husband not just as a spouse but as a partner in every sense of the word. She also described George Vasiliou as a loving father and husband who, despite being a workaholic and constantly traveling, paid attention to the needs and dreams of his children. She highlighted his legacy—integrity, respect for others, and democratic values—as a guide for everyone. “What he did for Cyprus will not be forgotten… I hope we live to see a reunited Cyprus.”
Their three children, Sophia, Vasso, and Evelthon, were present at the church, along with their two eldest grandchildren, George and Alexander. Citizens attending the viewing shared moments and expressed their sorrow over his passing.
Politicians and organizations offered their condolences in the condolence book. DISY President Annita Demetriou mentioned that “George Vasiliou was a leader with an open and free spirit… he proved that politics can have ethics, courage, and vision.”
The funeral will be held publicly funded at 1:00 PM from the Holy Church of Hagia Sophia in Strovolos, with the family receiving condolences from 11:30 AM.
The General Secretary of AKEL, Stefanos Stefanou, wrote that he was “A visionary, realist, reformer… He advanced Cyprus in Europe, provided solutions, and paved new paths.”. DIKO President Nikos Papadopoulos noted the strong impact he left on public life, while former President Nicos Anastasiades described George Vasiliou as an “iconic figure who worked consistently for the modernization of the state and Europe’s path for our homeland.”
The funeral will be held publicly funded at 1:00 PM from the Holy Church of Hagia Sophia in Strovolos, with the family receiving condolences from 11:30 AM.. The burial will take place at Aglantzia Municipal Cemetery, attended by the President of the Republic and the entire Cabinet.
A large crowd along with those fortunate enough to have known George Vasiliou closely will accompany him to his final resting place tomorrow, honoring his memory and contributions to Cyprus.
