In an atmosphere of mourning and pain, the funeral of the former Deputy Minister of Shipping and Island Policy and Member of Parliament for the Dodecanese SYRIZA took place on the island of Rhodes today. Nektarios Santorini who lost his battle with cancer at age 51 last Monday morning.

The exodus ceremony, held at the Holy Church of the Annunciation of Rhodes, was attended by the President SYRIZA-PS Alexis Tsipras, Speaker of Parliament Konstantinos Tasoulas, Minister of Shipping and Island Policy Yiannis Plakiotakis, the entire SYRIZA parliamentary group, dozens of former ministers, current and former MPs from all parties, the South Aegean Regional Governor Giorgos Hatzimarkos and mayors from the Dodecanese Islands.

“You will always be there, always there, our beloved comrade,” the president of SYRZA emphasized in his mourning speech, not hiding his excitement. “Today we say goodbye to our own Nectarios, Nectarios of Rhodes, Dodecanese, Aegean Sea, a rare person, a fellow fighter who left an indelible mark,” noted among others Alexis Tsipras.

He also referred to Nektarios Santorini’s suggestion, pointing out that he was an honest, selfless, but also a politician who worked hard in battles even when he fought his personal battle.

The Chairman of Parliament described the deceased as “a worthy and beloved colleague.” C. Tassiolas conveying the condolences of all parliamentary factions to his relatives. He also described Nektarios Santorinios as a militant, efficient, self-made politician with significant contributions.

“His contribution to this place was important, and his imprint is great,” said Metropolitan Kirill of Rhodes in his farewell speech, touching on the personality of the deceased.

“THAT Nektarios Santorini ethically, with dignity, honestly and consistently served the public life of the country and our place, both from the positions of Deputy Minister and Deputy Minister of Maritime and Island Policy, as well as from seats in Parliament and the Regional Council of the South Aegean Sea,” reads the resolution adopted today by the South -Aegean Regional Council.

Funeral of SYRIZA-PS President Alexis Tsipras

Today we say goodbye to our Nectarios.

Partner, companion, friend.

Together with all SYRIZA, which he closed in his heart, his family, which he adored, his countrymen and all the islanders of our homeland, whom he served with passion and love.

Nectarius is a representative of a generation that grew up accepting the defeat of the ideas that shook the world, but never abandoned them.

And he was lucky to experience their triumphant return with a historic first time, joys but also great hardships.

He was present for everything.

With honesty, dedication, dedication and hard work.

When the false euphoria that bankrupted Greece sparked arguments that the ideas of social justice, history, and the left were over, Nectarios was there.

When the draft memorandums later came and the Greek people challenged us to take the country out of the swamp, Nectarios was present.

When we fought daily with creditors and their internal agents, who saw in the commission an opportunity to impose injustice on the regime, Nectarios was present.

He was present until his last moments, when he had the courage to fight his illness, and at the same time not to leave his place on our front line.

There is the modesty, the kindness, the sobriety that characterized him.

Give with a smile and optimism even in the most difficult moments.

“Personally, while waging a parallel and difficult fight against cancer, I declare myself present in the fight for the country to breathe again and society to stand up.

They are present on the victory ballots of our faction.

Present in an attempt to overthrow a regime that vilifies our lives.

Always present for the needs of our islands and islanders.

Whatever our personal difficulties, we owe it to History and future generations to stand on the right bank of the river and fight for Change.

Because without Democracy and Justice we cannot look to the future.

This is what I will do in spite of the hard struggle I am in and I urge all of you to fight for the victory of SYRIZA-PS, which will mean the formation of a strong progressive government.”

These are his own words in his own last post.

In the most difficult moments, when he fought for his life, he did not refuse to fight for the lives of others.

Because our companion, with whom we say goodbye today, was not a stowaway of history.

Nor professional power.

He studied chemical engineering at NTUA.

But from his youth he fell in love with the chemistry of justice.

He has secured many badges as a successful engineer.

But he aspired from a pupil and a student to become an engineer of freedom.

It was organized by the Communist Youth.

He took his place in the forefront of the trade union movement.

He later joined the Coalition and SYRIZA.

He became the coordinator of the party in the Dodecanese and a member of its Central Committee.

And then, in the battle to break free from the memorandum loop, in 2015 he became a member of the Dodecanese Parliament.

And then he becomes Deputy Minister and Deputy Minister of Shipping and Island Policy.

To give as much as possible, to give himself and his soul to the Dodecanese and to all the islands and islanders he loved.

To associate its name with the Transport equivalent.

And to prove that not all of us care about the stereotype that power corrupts.

Remaining humble, unwavering in his ideas and loyal to those whom he represented in Parliament.

Until the end, he is faithful to what he believed in and determined his life.

Nectarios was one of the most effective ministers in the SYRIZA government.

And, perhaps, one of the best ministers of shipping and island politics that passed through this ministry.

I don’t say it today, Nectarios, I said it many times because it was true.

And the last time I said it in public, last summer, you turned around and told me I was exaggerating.

It’s not an exaggeration, it’s true.

What your modesty did not even allow to say.

And it was true, because you knew how to work in the field.

Be close to people and their needs.

Put forward the right, their right and their own values.

To be close to the islanders in any difficulty, big or small.

Fight for the crossings of the barren line.

Sleeplessly and tirelessly coordinate rescue operations.

And at the same time have the foresight but also the perseverance for a policy of justice that can be put into practice even in the most difficult circumstances, as we did with the metaphorical equivalent in the days of the memos.

It was our Nectarios Santorini.

This is our Nectarios Santorini.

Because Nectarios will be present.

As he stated in his last post.

They will be present in our ranks in the coming battles. Be present in the beauty of justice and in the justice of beauty.

With his smile, giving our difficult or less difficult path, the light that burns.

I know that we cannot ease the pain of the family he adored with words.

About Matin, Melina and Konstantinos.

All we can do is share their pain and grief.

Let’s be on their side.

And to promise that we will strive to make Nectarios’ vision a reality.

For a justice society.

Nectario, with your life you taught us to love people and fight for the right.

With your flight, you taught us to fight for life and defy death.

To end.

We promise you that we too will fight to the end, in our battles we will also fight for you.

In sorrow, we will mourn for you.

In our joys, we will smile at you too.

You will be next to us.

Real, forever.

Have a nice trip, dear friend.

With information from APE-MPE