On October 13, 2024, a series of events was successfully held at Ayia Napa Marina as part of the Fourth Two-Day Charity Festival, “Saint Lazarus and his Little Friend Savvas”, which takes place annually in the orchard of the eponymous saint in Dromolaxia. Participants were 150 organisations and establishments, united under the message “Saint Lazarus is Celebrating, Love is Celebrating”.

The event was held at the Marina in the presence of local bodies, officials and the public, with greetings offered by Ayia Napa Mayor Christos Zannettou, Ayia Napa Marina CMO Costas Fitiris, and Father Andreas, on behalf of the Metropolis. The speakers stressed the importance of preserving the Cypriot people’s memory and unity, as well as the event’s cultural and philanthropic significance. They also expressed their warm congratulations to Marilena Makri for her important contribution.

A highlight of the day was the sailing route of Makri, the 21-year-old Cypriot sailing champion who represented the island at the Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2020 and Paris in 2024. Makri had set sail the day before, on October 12, 2024 from Ayios Nikolaos in Pernera Beach, arriving at Ayia Napa Marina on the afternoon of the same day. On October 13, at 11.30 am, the next day, she started her journey from Ayia Napa Marina towards Larnaca, the home of the church of Saint Lazarus, covering a distance of 50 nautical miles, a symbol of the 50 years since the Turkish invasion. Her moving sailing passage was the event’s cornerstone, drawing warm applause from the audience.

The event ended with a recital by the young artist Nefeli Antoniou, member of the Charisma Band. With a unique performance, Nefeli offered the perfect musical conclusion to an engaging event.

The “Saint Lazarus and his Little Friend Savvas” festival is held annually on the occasion of the feast for the transfer of the relics of Righteous Lazarus of the Four Days. All of the Festival’s proceeds go to the Saint Lazarus Centre for People with Disabilities, which serves adults with mild and moderate intellectual disability, as well as to other non-profit institutions that provide care, education and health services to our fellow citizens.

This year, the Festival programme included commemorative actions for the 50 years that have passed since the Turkish invasion and division of Cyprus, and 60 years following the Turkish bombings in Tillyria.