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- Ελληνικά
It is with feelings of awe and deep emotion that I address these words today, here, at the Holy Church of St Thomas and Apostle Luke, in Agios Thomas, at the annual National Memorial Service of the people who sacrificed for the Community of Eptakomi and Cyprus.
It is with the same sense of respect that we honour today the people of Eptakomites who offered everything they had most precious for the defence of democracy in Cyprus, as well as its freedom and territorial integrity in July 1974. We also pray for the finding and determination of the fate of the Community's missing persons, who fought valiantly against the Turkish invader. We remember those who preserved and saved the Holy Gospel of Eptakomi, as well as all the Eptakomites who died in the refugee camp.
The Community of Eptakomi surrendered to the Turks on August 15, 1974. They immediately arrested all men under the age of 50. Of these, the community leader Lukas Kyriakou, Antonis Konis, Giannos Lambrou and Andreas Konstantinou remain missing to this day.
Deacon Vasilios Ilias Giannakas, student Michalis Sialounas, Dimitris Spyrou and Dimitris Charalambous were found in a mass grave.
On 21 August late at night they arrested Adamos Sergiou, Georgios Cassiouris, Yannis Gerolemou, Kyriakos Pierou, Leontios Christofis and Charalambos Michael. All of them were found in a mass grave and all of them had a bullet wound to the head. His remains were found and identified. From the many fractures he sustained, it appears that he died from a savage beating.
Markos Markou, who served his military service in the 286 M.T.P., was killed by Turkish air force fire during the first round of the Turkish invasion of the village of Kontenos.
Anastasia Asprou and Mariko Christofi, both elderly, stayed at their children's homes in Famagusta and Milia and their fate was unknown; their remains were later recovered and buried.
Spyros Loizou, an agricultural guard, was killed on duty after being struck by lightning at the watchtower on top of Mount Guti in Eptakomi during the 1964 Turkish invasion.
Charalambos Agapios, a World War II invalid who was trapped, was murdered in his wheelchair in 1976.
Adamos Adamou, a firefighter - grandson of Adamos Sergiou who was executed by the Turks - was killed at Mari on 11/07/2011.
Adamos Adamou, a firefighter - grandson of Adamos Sergiou who was executed by the Turks - was killed at Mari on 11/07/2011.
The murder of Haralambos Agapios in his wheelchair was the straw that broke the camel's back and forced the villagers to leave the village in October 1976 and move all together, at their own request, to the Turkish Cypriot communities of Agios Thomas and Plataniskias, which until then had been abandoned. This is where most of the then active residents of the Eptakomi Community lived and died. That is why these Communities are a meeting place for all Eptakomites, wherever they live, in Cyprus or abroad. It should be noted that some other residents of Eptakomi scattered all over free Cyprus.
We also honour today Nicolas, Florence, Christos, Antonis, Michalis, Pieris who preserved with their lives and saved the Holy Gospel of Eptakomi, the papyrus, which today is kept in the museum at the Museum of the Holy Monastery of Kykkos.
Fifty years later, the memory of those events remains alive in our hearts.
Turkey's intransigent attitude continues to block the negotiations, despite the determination of the Greek Cypriot side. President Nicos Christodoulides, through a series of initiatives, seeks an immediate return to dialogue, respecting the principles of the European Union (EU) and international law.
President Christodoulides' contacts with European and international partners aim to strengthen efforts for a viable solution, in line with United Nations (UN) Resolutions. The EU, with its political and economic instruments, can help break the deadlock.
The Greek Cypriot side is ready to return to the talks with the aim of reaching a solution that will bring security and peace to all Cypriots.
These fifty years remind us that the struggle for justice and freedom is not over. It is our duty to continue to fight for the reunification of Cyprus, for the restoration of the rights of all Cypriots, for peace and prosperity throughout the island.
Today, as we honour the heroes of Eptacomi, we renew our pledge never to forget and to continue to fight with determination for freedom and justice.
May their memory be eternal. Their sacrifices will not be forgotten as long as we remain united and strong in our struggle.
(MS/NYAN)
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