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With national responsibility and historical debt, we are gathered here today to pay tribute to the heroes of the community, Kostakis Savvidis and Filippos Kritiotis, to draw strength by remembering their sacrifice, and to raise our national spirit in the face of the trials and tribulations of our country.
This year marks the 49th anniversary of that painful summer of 1974, which was a dark page in our history and a grievous wound in our hearts. The suffering of Cyprus, the refugees, the drama of our missing persons, our prisoners, still seem like a nightmare.
In times that are still difficult, we need the heroic role models, which, by highlighting them, we bequeath to new generations the visions, ideals and values of those who had the courage and courage to take on superior forces without hesitation, for the sake of their homeland.
Honouring the heroes of our people is not a formal fulfilment of a debt. Commemorations such as today's have as their main objective, in addition to paying tribute and gratitude to the heroes, to serve as lessons of militancy and courage for new generations.
Our two heroes, imitating the heroic actions of our ancestors, were on the front lines, defending the democracy and freedom of our country, in the summer of 1974.
Kostas Savvidis was born on October 27, 1955, and was the first child of the family of Panagiotis and Theofanos. He attended the Primary School of Polis Chrysochous. Subsequently, he enrolled at the private school of A.E.T.A., and then at Paphos College. He continued his studies at the Nicosia Hotel School from which he successfully graduated with a Diploma in Culinary Arts, which he practiced in Famagusta until his enlistment in the National Guard.
It was 16 August 1974. Kostas was on duty, defending his native land, when the Turkish mortar fire fired at the National Guard positions on Hill 173 in Aglantzia, mortally wounded him. Kostas Savvidis fell for faith and country and was buried in the military cemetery of Lakatameia in a mass grave. In recognition of his sacrifice, by decision of the Council of Ministers on 1 December 1974, he was posthumously awarded, as a sign of honour and bravery, the rank of Reserve Lieutenant-Lieutenant.
His remains were found in the Cemetery of Lakatameia and on 8 October 2000 they were transported with a military escort to Stato-Agios Fotios where he was buried in the churchyard, where there is a bust of the hero.
Philip Kritiotis was born in Stato Paphos on 1 September 1955.
Philip Kritiotis was born in Stato Paphos on 1 September 1955. After primary school he followed the profession of a car mechanic. In 1973 he joined the National Guard and served in the 120th Heavy Mortar Company based in Lakatameia. When the coup occurred, he boarded a bus carrying resistance fighters to Limassol to report to his unit in Nicosia.
On 16 July he was arrested with three other reservists in the Zacakiou area, where they were all executed in cold blood by EOKA II. The remains of the Cretan were found in January 2010 in the cemetery of Agios Nikolaos in Limassol and he was buried in the courtyard of the church in Statos, next to the hero's bust.
These heroes, ladies and gentlemen, stood firm in the face of danger. They fought bravely to protect the ideas of freedom, justice and dignity, ideas that are the cornerstone of every society.
Their sacrifice is a constant reminder to all of us not to forget our obligation to continue the struggle until the final vindication of our semi-conquered homeland.
Their sacrifice is a constant reminder to all of us not to forget our obligation to continue the struggle until the final vindication of our semi-conquered homeland.
Our goal is the liberation of our homeland, without occupying armies and invasive rights of other countries, with the human rights and basic freedoms of all legitimate inhabitants guaranteed. In this direction we will continue our efforts systematically, with dedication and vigour. To find a solution that will lift the occupation and allow all legal residents of Cyprus to coexist away from racist divisions, under a regime of equality and equality of rights.
Let their courage and sacrifice be an eternal light that illuminates the path to a better world.
Let us strive to embody the virtues that characterize those who fell for our homeland and build a future where the heroic mentality is constantly emulated by new generations.
Honor and glory to the heroes of Statu - Agios Fotios and Cyprus, Philip Kritiotis and Kostakis Savvidis.
May their memory be eternal.
(EFYs/MB/SX)
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