On this day, on April 1, 1955, the Greek Cypriot EOKA guerrilla organization commenced the Cypriot struggle for independence against British rule, with the goal of "Enosis" - the eventual union with Greece. This was one of the most important national liberation struggles of Hellenism in Cyprus.
From the early hours of the night, the EOKA (National Organization of Cypriot Fighters) guerrillas, led by the Cypriot Colonel George "Digenis" Grivas, simultaneously attacked government buildings, police stations, the radio station and a British camp in Ammochostos (Famagusta). The first casualty was 17-year-old Modestos Pantelis, who was killed by electrocution while trying to turn off the lights at the British base.
The political leader of EOKA was Archbishop Makarios, who a few years later would become the first President of the Republic of Cyprus. The movement had its roots in the 1950 referendum, when 95.7% of Greek Cypriots declared their desire for union with Greece, and was strengthened by the elevation of Makarios III to the leadership of the Church.
EOKA’s struggle lasted four bloody and heroic years, with fierce battles, torture and executions. The rebels targeted not only the British occupiers but also their collaborators, even members of the Greek Cypriot Marxist AKEL party, who were accused of being pro-British. At the same time, they also faced the Turkish Cypriots of the "Taksim" movement, who called for the division of Cyprus and the union of the northern part with Turkey.
Among the most heroic figures of the struggle was Grigoris Afxentiou, deputy leader of EOKA, who would go down in history for his martyrdom: surrounded by British in his hideout, he refused to surrender and was killed when he was set on fire with gasoline. Heroes of the struggle also included Michalakis Karaolis, Andreas Dimitriou, Kyriakos Matsis, Andreas Panayides, who were executed on the gallows shouting “Long live Greece.” The 18-year-old Evagoras Pallikarides was the last to be hanged - despite appeals for clemency, Queen Elizabeth II refused.
The dead fighters were buried within the Central Prisons of Nicosia, to avoid popular uprisings. The “Imprisoned Graves,” as they are called today, have been transformed into a place of pilgrimage.
The goal of "Enosis" with Greece was ultimately not achieved. With the London and Zurich Agreements of February 19, 1959, Cyprus was declared an independent state. Its independence would be officially announced on October 1, 1960, but the shadow of the unfulfilled desire for "Enosis" would continue to haunt the island’s history for decades.
From the early hours of the night, the EOKA (National Organization of Cypriot Fighters) guerrillas, led by the Cypriot Colonel George "Digenis" Grivas, simultaneously attacked government buildings, police stations, the radio station and a British camp in Ammochostos (Famagusta). The first casualty was 17-year-old Modestos Pantelis, who was killed by electrocution while trying to turn off the lights at the British base.
The political leader of EOKA was Archbishop Makarios, who a few years later would become the first President of the Republic of Cyprus. The movement had its roots in the 1950 referendum, when 95.7% of Greek Cypriots declared their desire for union with Greece, and was strengthened by the elevation of Makarios III to the leadership of the Church.
EOKA’s struggle lasted four bloody and heroic years, with fierce battles, torture and executions. The rebels targeted not only the British occupiers but also their collaborators, even members of the Greek Cypriot Marxist AKEL party, who were accused of being pro-British. At the same time, they also faced the Turkish Cypriots of the "Taksim" movement, who called for the division of Cyprus and the union of the northern part with Turkey.
Among the most heroic figures of the struggle was Grigoris Afxentiou, deputy leader of EOKA, who would go down in history for his martyrdom: surrounded by British in his hideout, he refused to surrender and was killed when he was set on fire with gasoline. Heroes of the struggle also included Michalakis Karaolis, Andreas Dimitriou, Kyriakos Matsis, Andreas Panayides, who were executed on the gallows shouting “Long live Greece.” The 18-year-old Evagoras Pallikarides was the last to be hanged - despite appeals for clemency, Queen Elizabeth II refused.
The dead fighters were buried within the Central Prisons of Nicosia, to avoid popular uprisings. The “Imprisoned Graves,” as they are called today, have been transformed into a place of pilgrimage.
The goal of "Enosis" with Greece was ultimately not achieved. With the London and Zurich Agreements of February 19, 1959, Cyprus was declared an independent state. Its independence would be officially announced on October 1, 1960, but the shadow of the unfulfilled desire for "Enosis" would continue to haunt the island’s history for decades.
RSS Feed
