Greek church farewells a tireless leader

PHIL REID

SOLEMN TIME: His Eminence Dionysios Psiahas is farewelled in the Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Wellington's Mt Victoria. At centre is Archbishop Tsoukos Ampilochios.

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With solemn prayer and gentle song Wellington's Greek community has laid to rest a giant of the Greek Orthodox Church, a man who helped spread the religion across Asia.
See slideshow of images from the funeral of Dionysios Psiachas

His Eminence Metropolitan (Archbishop) Dionysios Psiachas headed the Greek Orthodox Church in New Zealand and Oceania for 33 years from 1970 till 2003.

He died in Wellington Hospital on Sunday after a short illness, aged 91.

The Dominion Post was invited to his traditional funeral service at the ornate Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Mt Victoria, where hundreds arrived to bid farewell.

The open casket service was a first for the church, a sign of respect for Metropolitan Dionysios.

He was laid out with a ceremonial staff, and wearing the Queen's Service Medal he received in 1995. Both were removed before his burial at Makara cemetery.

He was described as a simple man who worked tirelessly to stretch his church to countries where the Greek Orthodox religion was unknown.

During 42 overseas trips he travelled widely in Korea, India, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Singapore and Indonesia, where he started churches and ordained local priests.

Mourners heard these journeys never drew a word of complaint or hint of tiredness.

Father Tsourapas Costantinos said Metropolitan Dionysios was a simple man, totally devoted to his church.

Father Daniel, of the Orthodox Church in Korea, said Metropolitan Dionysios' body was resting but his spirit was alive.

"I have come from Korea to express our profound thanks."

As the funeral ended, mourners pressed quietly forward to kiss the hands that had blessed so many.