History

26 Dec 1929

Rupert Gunnis, ADC to Sir Ronald Storrs, attended the funeral of the bishop of Paphos on behalf of the Governor

 

Rupert Gunnis, ADC to Sir Ronald Storrs, attended the funeral of the bishop of Paphos on behalf of the Governor:

Alexis and I left early and motored straight to Paphos. Arrived about 2.00, hurried, changed into black clothes and straight to the church which was packed with people. Stood on a little disc with Fleury. The body of the bishop was seated in a chair, the face painted but the nails quite black and already smelling. The service long and about 15 orations and farewells to the corpse made. Then the body, still sitting in the chair carried right round the town for about 2 miles. I walking just behind the body with the bishop of Kition who had taken the service. The body was then placed in the grave and earth thrown on it. As the whole service had taken two hours I was nearly dead and could wait for no more, but hurriedly left. I believe a cover is placed over the body before the grave is filled in. Stayed the night at the rest house.