A memorial service was held on Sunday for the second in command of EOKA, Gregoris Afxentiou at Machairas, in the Troodos mountains.

The annual service was attended by President Nikos Christodoulides, Archbishop Georgios, House President Annita Demetriou, chief of the National Guard and other dignitaris.

Afxentiou was burnt alive during the 1955 – 1959 liberation struggle against British colonial rule when he refused to surrender.

A memorial speech was delivered by Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas who said “it is our debt to continue our efforts with unity and consensus in order to reunite our country and only then will we manage to prove ourselves worthy of history and of our heroes’ sacrifice.”

Demetriou said that our main goal is to liberate and reunify our homeland, adding that we need heroes such as Gregoris Afxentiou, so that we can follow their example.

Mayor of occupied Lysi, birthplace of Afxentiou, Andreas Kaouris said the hero is a beacon that guides our efforts to end occupation.