Anastasia Balezdrova
Today about 40 Bulgarians, living and working in Athens, accompanied the chairman of the Bulgarian Community to his resting place. The last act of the drama surrounding his death took place at the third cemetery in the Athens suburb of Nikea.
Among those present some figures stood out: the bereaved wife and son of Rosen, who had arrived from Bulgaria, his sister and her family. Several wreaths from the Bulgarian Community and the family were placed around the entrance of the small chapel. The priest of the Bulgarian communities in Athens, Archimandrite Athanasius Sultanov performed the funeral service. The people who bid farewell to Rosen had attached to their lapels badges with the Bulgarian flag and the name of the community in Bulgarian and Greek. They said he had made them a few years ago.
Then, the funeral procession went to the last home of Rosen Hristov. Bereaved relatives and friends laid down flowers, some weeping. After that, they went to one of the ritual halls to have a cup of coffee, as is the custom in Greece.
People talked and shared memories of Rosen. Some of them had known him for years, others for a short period of time. All agreed, however, about how good and generous a man he was.
Radostina Ivanova told GRReporter, "I do not remember who told me about the Community. I went there, met Rosen and asked if he could help me find a job. He was a very calm and steady person. He said he would help me with anything possible. Because I was in a very difficult situation financially, I asked him what this help would cost me. Rosen replied that it would cost me nothing. Even when I asked about the membership fee, he said that everyone gave as much as they could or nothing if they were in difficulty. I can say that when it came to money he evaded the question. I just wonder how it is possible to write such things about him on the Internet. If Rosen wanted money, he would ask me.
Then, they arranged day trips to nearby destinations around Athens. I went on two of them. We paid 15 Euros for each. I even think that this was a small amount because the price included food and soft drinks. In my opinion, Rosen did all these things for the people, to give them pleasure, not to gain something for himself."
Another woman of those attending the funeral also shared her impressions about Rosen. "In recent years, I have been working without days off. That is why I could not attend the events of the Community. However, I attended them regularly before. We went on trips where we had a very good time. I am here today because, as the Bulgarian saying goes, "For good and bad, people are needed." I thought how the family of Rosen would feel if there were no people here today. Wouldn't they feel bad when they knew how many people he had helped over the years? That is why I am here today. I want to say that he did not deserve to perish in this painful way. This applies to all people, but especially for him, who gave his all."
While talking, the people present collected money to help Rosen’s family. His son left for Bulgaria tonight, and his wife will stay in Athens for a few days.
Some commented that many other people should have attended the funeral. Others said that many of them were working today or simply did not know. Inevitably, many of the conversations centred on what had happened. All friends of Rosen expressed their hope that the police investigation would be completed quickly and that the perpetrator of "this brutal crime" would be caught.
After the sad ritual, Father Athanasius informed that a memorial service in memory of Rosen Hristov will be held at the Bulgarian Church in the suburb of Agii Anargyroi at 10.30 am on Sunday, December 4.
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