On Sunday, April 2nd, a memorial, and ceremony were held at the Church of Apostolos Andreas in Sunshine to honour the freedom fighters of EOKA 1955-1959. These fighters sparked a national struggle against British Colonialism on April 1, 1955. During the event, all speakers emphasized the lopsided battle between the overwhelming power of the British and the courage and self-sacrifice of young freedom fighters on the road to Cypriot independence.
The Cyprus Struggle Committee partnership with the Greek Cypriot Community of Apostolos Andreas Sunshine, held the commemoration.
The divine liturgy was presided over by Bishop Evmenios of Kerasounta and assisted by Father Evangelos. It was attended by the High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus, Antonis Sammoutis, the Consul General of Greece, Emmanuel Kakavelakis, the president of SEKA, Antonis Kyriakou, the president of the Cypriot Community of Melbourne and Victoria Theo Theofanous, campaigners of EOKA, the president of the host Sunshine Community Eleni Christodoulou and many other representatives of Victorian Cypriot and Greek organisations.
Together with a group of the Dance Academy “Pegasus” with their flags and banners and the dance teacher Sotiris Sotiriou and a group of drummers from the Agios Ioannis College under the direction of Stelios Tsiola.
The Consul General said, “The Cypriots have a great tradition in the struggle. The fight continues because part of Cyprus is under Turkish occupation. We remember the struggles and sacrifices of the young people of 55-59 who, with a vision of union with Greece and incredible heroism and self-sacrifice were led to the gallows.”
“68 years later, it is a struggle we cannot forget,” said Theo Theophanous the president of the Cypriot Community.
“We remember the young men and women who, in the prime of their youth, were led to the gallows with unacceptable criteria. And it is this struggle that opened the way to the declaration of Cyprus as an Independent Republic”.
Maria Sotiriou, Stelios and Maria Kakavelaki and Nitsa Andreou, niece of national hero, Charalambos Petemeridis, recited poems and a a letter from the former Cypriot Independence fighter, Charilaos Michael to his parents was read by Kyriakos Silvestrou.
Eleni Christodoulou, president of the Sunshine Community closed with thanks from the president of SEKA, Mr. Antonis Kyriakou.
After the trisagio in front of the monument located in the forecourt of the church and the laying of wreaths, a modest ceremony took place.
The ceremony concluded with the National Anthems of Greece and Australia. Lambrini Lambrou-Christopher served as the master of ceremonies. Following the ceremony, a meal was provided by the Board of Directors and ladies of the Community.
