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The National Federation of Cypriots in the UK and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Thyateira organised a Doxology at St John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church to commemorate the National Days of March 25th and April 1st. The Doxology, officiated by Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain, honoured the Greek Revolution of 1821 and the Cyprus Anticolonial Struggle of EOKA of 1955-1959 and their heroes.
The High Commissioner of Cyprus in the UK, Dr Kyriacos Kouros, delivered the main speech. The High Commissioner began by remembering the Filiki Etairia, revolutionaries and philhellenes who fought for “national sovereignty and self-determination” in 1821. He added that Cypriots also played a major role in the Greek Revolution, with Archbishop Kyprianos of Cyprus and 486 more losing their lives as a result and the island being “left without leadership.”
The High Commissioner then spoke about the Cyprus Anticolonial Struggle of EOKA of 1955-59. He said that “the same dedication to the struggle and passion for freedom,” as shown by the Greek Revolutionaries, was shown by the Cypriots “who, on April 1, 1955, 70 years ago, began an unequal battle against colonialism.” These Cypriots were “forced to adopt methods of uprisings, demonstrations and guerrilla warfare”, the High Commissioner said.
In closing, the High Commissioner said that the Government of Cyprus is “drawing on the strength of the diaspora – particularly here in Britain – and our international partnerships, to achieve a decent and viable solution that will allow the return of our Republic to a more normal coexistence of communities with the goal of peace and prosperity for all.” With March’s Geneva Meeting, he added that “after the stagnation we have had since 2017, there seem to be some promising signs for the future.”
In his remarks after the Doxology, Archbishop Nikitas said that “today reminds us all about the desire of all people’s to be free, including the people of Cyprus who have been freedom and reunification of the island, since the invasion in 1974”.
In his opening remarks, Federation President Christos Karaolis said that “The heroism we honour on our National Days must not live only in our history” and that it “must live on in our continuing story as a source of inspiration for our campaign today.” He added that “We must maintain this momentum and continue to call on our elected representatives and the international community to consistently implement international law and human rights.”
Also in attendance was His Excellency, the Ambassador of Greece, Mr Yannis Tsaousis, members of the Diplomatic missions of Cyprus and Greece, Officers of the National Federation of Cypriots and representatives of community associations.
