On Thursday, 7 December 2023, a memorial service (Trisagion) was performed in the courtyard of the Holy Archdiocese of Cyprus in Nicosia, honouring the Late Archbishop Makarios III of Cyprus.
On the anniversary of 7 December, the day of his return to Cyprus following the 1974 coup, wreaths were respectfully laid at the statue of the Archbishop by the Committee for the Preparation and Maintenance of the Register of Resistance Fighters and the Association of Democratic Resistance Fighters of Nicosia.
In his address, Committee Chairman, Mr. Alexis Charalambous paid tribute to Archbishop Makarios as a leader deeply devoted to his country and people, emphasising his tireless efforts and international stature.
Mr. Charalambous recalled the turbulent times, highlighting the events surrounding the Turkish revolt of 1963 and the Anglo-American plans rerarding the island of Cyprus. He also shed light on the actions of the National Organisation of Cypriot Fighters (EOKA B’), noting that illegal actions during that period eventually led to the 1974 coup.
“Between ’72 and ’74, EOKA B committed 13 murders against democratic citizens. On July 15 and 16, several individuals, mostly police officers, were brutally killed by EOKA B and the Junta. Numerous police officers were unjustly imprisoned in prisons and police stations during the coup,” Mr. Charalambous explained.
Despite the upheaval, Archbishop Makarios, “escaped by chance, sought refuge in Paphos, then with the aid of the English, traveled to Malta, London, and eventually to the United States, where he addressed the United Nations. His subsequent visits to London and Athens culminated in his triumphant return to Cyprus,” Charalambous added.
“We commemorate Makarios and honour his unwavering struggles. Let us draw inspiration from his enduring legacy to pave the way for a brighter future for our country, a future built on the pillars of freedom and democracy,” he concluded.