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- Ελληνικά
It is with feelings of deep emotion and sacred duty that we remember and honour today the hero Charalambos Petteridis, who fell with honour during the National Liberation Struggle of EOKA 1955-1959, and his heroic wife Eleni Stylianou Petteridou.
We honour a worthy child of the Community of Kannavia, an enthusiastic and dynamic young man, an honest and pure patriot, nurtured with the principles and values of Hellenism, who at the first call, joined the Struggle, with a soul overflowing with love for his homeland and freedom.
Born in 1934, one of the eight children of Ioannis and Andriani Petteridis, Charalambos worked hard and honestly for his survival in the mines of Asbestos, but also as a table maid in Kyrenia and as a grocer in Asbestos. At a young age he married Eleni Stylianou.
The beginning of the EOKA struggle found Pettemerides in Kyrenia, where he was working. His activity started from Kyrenia and continued in the area of Pitsilia-Spilia-Amiantou, first as a supplier of guerrilla groups and then as a liaison and escort. He served in the groups of the EOKA leader himself in the historic hideouts of Spilia, and he himself had masterfully constructed a hideout in his house where he gave shelter to the hunted guerrillas. It was there that he also hosted Stavraetos, Grigoris Afxentiou, when in December 1955 he had fought the terrible battle of the Caves.
In June 1958, Charalambos Pettenmerides was arrested for treason and taken to the interrogation rooms of Platres. For 35 days he was interrogated and tortured by the English conquerors.
When the English released him, even though he knew that he was wanted and that they would try to arrest him again, he was not discouraged. He continued his action with the same unquenchable fire in his heart and fled to the mountains where he joined the guerrilla group in the area.
On the evening of October 6, 1958, together with Panikos Sofokleous from Omodos, Charalambos Miltiades from Spilia and Andreas Nikos from Kannavia, Pettemerides found himself at the location of Moutti in Sarandi, between the villages of Spilia and Lagoudera, where they had ambushed the British two days ago, placing a mine, which they had not detonated since the British had not passed by the spot.
Two days later, and while the group decided to disconnect the mine and leave the location, the British approached the ambush site with the lights on their military vehicles turned off. The four lads, despite the meagre supplies at their disposal, did not cower and threw themselves into the battle to intercept the enemy. The English soldiers' fire mortally wounded the body of Haralambos Petteridis.
His body was found at this location the next day. The sad news reached his village, plunging his family and fellow villagers into mourning. The Kannawia Leventis, the "Xerxes" of EOKA, now rests proud and honoured in the native land that raised him and for whose freedom he sacrificed his life at only 25 years of age.
A tragic figure at his funeral was his wife Eleni, who with a patriotic feeling, as befits the wife of a hero, praised her beloved Charalambos, mourning the untimely but heroic loss of her beloved husband.
Sister of Andreas Stylianou who fought alongside Afxentiou and later wife of "Xerxes", Eleni Stylianou Pettemeridou knew from a young age that the conquest of freedom is not rosy. After his glorious death, Eleni, as a true patriot, loyal to the cause of liberation and justice, continued her contribution to the Organization until the end of the Struggle. She offered her services as a feeder and liaison and helped to achieve the highest good of freedom.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Our memory today turns back to the glorious, heroic years of the EOKA Struggle, the period in Cyprus' history when the flame of freedom sparked in the eyes of our youth. We recall the struggles and sacrifices of the whole of Cypriot society, which refused to compromise, defied numbers and the supposed insurmountability of a struggle whose chances of vindication were overwhelmingly against them.
We honour a generation that believed in justice and freedom. We commemorate a generation that drew strength from the ideals of Hellenism and, feeling its duty to History, claimed, fought with mental strength and achieved what for everyone seemed impossible.
The self-sacrifice of the brave men and women of EOKA is for us a beacon that illuminates our steps. Their commitment to the conquest of freedom is our guide to continue with perseverance and determination our struggle to defend the independence of our homeland, to conquer freedom and peace.
Fully aware of the weight of historical responsibility towards our heroes and our history, the President of the Republic, from the first day of assuming office, undertakes initiatives that will create the conditions for a return to the negotiating table.
Fully aware of the weight of historical responsibility towards our heroes and our history, the President of the Republic undertakes from the first day of his assumption of office, initiatives that will create the conditions for a return to the negotiating table. Despite the difficulties, problems and obstacles created by the Turkish side, the Greek Cypriot side continues its efforts with conviction. The resumption of negotiations to reach a viable and workable solution is our top priority and we will spare no effort to reach the desired goal, which is none other than the reunification of our homeland, on the basis of the UN Resolutions and the principles and values on which the European Union is founded.
We demand the obvious, as Charalambos, Gregory and Evagoras demanded it.
We demand the obvious, as Charalambos, Gregory and Evagoras demanded it. We demand security and political stability, the guarantee of basic human rights for all citizens of Cyprus, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots. We claim for our children a homeland of creation, prosperity, development and peace.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Our heroes, their sacrifice and struggles guide our own actions and define our duty to our homeland and its people. Our position is unwavering. We listen to the messages of the times. We will not stop the struggle until we achieve the resolution of the Cyprus problem, until we secure civil liberties and legitimacy, to be worthy successors of the glorious past and to justify the sacrifice of our honoured heroes.
We reverently bow our heads to the sacrifice of Charalambos Petteridis, Eleni Stylianou Petteridou and all their fellow fighters. We draw strength and continue, proudly, as our glorious history dictates.
Honor and glory to our heroes. May the glory that accompanies them be eternal.
(MKY)
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