Cyprus' state, church and political leadership gathered on Wednesday at the Church of Saints Constantine and Helen in Nicosia for a memorial service honouring those who lost their lives during the 15 July 1974 coup.
Among those attending were President Nikos Christodoulides, Archbishop Georgios of Cyprus, House President Annita Demetriou, government ministers, party leaders and representatives, relatives of the victims, officials and members of the public.
The memorial address was delivered by former MP Costis Efstathiou, who paid tribute to those who remained, in his words, "eternally young guardians of freedom and democracy."
He said the victims of the coup were the first casualties of the twin tragedy that culminated in the Turkish invasion days later, adding that remembrance serves to preserve historical memory and pass the lessons of sacrifice to future generations.
‘An act of national betrayal’
Referring to the events of 1974, Efstathiou described the coup against the government of Archbishop Makarios as an unforgivable and criminal act amounting to national betrayal.
He argued that the coup provided Turkey with the pretext it had been seeking to intervene in Cyprus and said the action was directed not only against constitutional order but also against democracy, legality and the Cypriot people.
According to Efstathiou, one of the most tragic consequences was that it turned Greeks against Greeks, placing citizens in conflict with friends, neighbours and relatives.
He said those who died should be honoured through actions as well as words, adding that memorials bearing their names serve as a permanent reminder of society's duty to preserve historical memory.
References to the Cyprus issue
Turning to the Cyprus problem, Efstathiou argued that Turkey continues to pursue policies aimed at controlling and transforming the island.
He said honouring those who died during the coup and invasion requires resistance to such objectives and called for continued efforts towards Cyprus' liberation.
Efstathiou added that Cyprus must strengthen its democratic, political, cultural and security defences while remaining committed to freedom and democracy.
He stressed that no settlement could be considered viable if it were unjust, undemocratic or inconsistent with fundamental rights.
Concluding his address, he said the goal should remain a free and democratic Cyprus for all Cypriots, without dividing lines and based on equality before the law.
Wreath-laying ceremony
Following the memorial service, a trisagion was held at the monument dedicated to those who died during the coup.
Wreaths were laid by the President of the Republic, the Archbishop of Cyprus, the Speaker of the House, ministers, political parties, relatives of the victims and representatives of organised groups.
The ceremony concluded with a minute's silence in memory of the fallen and the playing of the national anthem.
Source: CNA
