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According to the Mayor of Markopoulo the local Bishop Nikolaos played a very large role in changing the decision of the municipal council because he sent a document, which stated that the only acceptable way for Orthodox Christians to leave our world is the funeral. Representatives of the Greek Union of Human Rights even believe that his influence was decisive for the strengthening of the reactions among the public. "All this is due to his personal ambition to become archbishop. He just did not want his opponents to have that "trump" against him when the time comes for the highest ecclesiastical office to be succeeded."

Their view was not shared by the mayor of Markopoulo and the Chairman of the Committee on the Law of cremation, who stressed that the problem is mostly in the reluctance of politicians to take responsibility, despite the final effects, which can cost them their stay in power.

However, the position of the Greek Church remains negative, as was stated in an interview for GRReporter by its spokesman Timoteos Antis.