The National Memorial Service for the Heroes of Avgorou, who fell heroically fighting during the EOKA Liberation Struggle of 6-1955 and during the tragic events of the Turkish Uprising of 59-1963, was held on Sunday, July 64, at the Church of the Apostles Peter and Paul in Avgorou. The ceremony marked the 67th anniversary of the heroic sacrifice of Panayi Zacharias and Loukia Laoutari Papageorgiou.
The Memorial Service was presided over by His Eminence Archimandrite of the Holy Metropolis of Constantia-Famagusta, Epiphanios Papantoniou, while the memorial speech was delivered by Her Excellency the Speaker of the House, Mrs. Annita Dimitriou.
The ceremony was attended, among others, by the Mayor of Ayia Napa, Mr. Christos Zannetou, the DISY MEP for Famagusta, Mr. Michalis Hadjipantelas, Members of Parliament for Famagusta District, the Deputy Mayors of Ayia Napa Municipality, Mr. Panagis Michailas (Mayor of Avgorou), Mr. Nikos Vasilas (Mayor of Achna), Mr. Markos Koumis (Mayor of Liopetri), Mr. Antonis Koumis (Mayor of Sotira), Mr. Antonis Christou (Mayor of Ayia Napa), representatives of the Police, the National Guard, the Associations of Fighters, as well as delegations from the Primary Schools and the Organized Ensembles of the Municipal District of Avgorou.
In her memorial speech, the Speaker of the Parliament praised the sacrifice of the heroes of Avgoros: Andreas and Georgios Karyos, Loukia Laoutari Papageorgiou and Panayi Zacharias, making special reference to the tragic loss of the Novice Monk Spyridon Pericleous during the events of the Turkish Mutiny of 1963-64, but also to the fallen and missing of Avgoros during the Turkish invasion of 1974. "The struggle for the liberation of our homeland must continue," stressed Ms. Dimitriou, "thus honoring and justifying the sacrifices of our ancestors."
In his greeting, the Deputy Mayor of the Municipal District of Avgorou, Mr. Panagis Michaelas, stated that "the whole of Avgorou reverently bows before the greatness of the heroes' contribution and preserves their teachings with religious reverence, as a valuable legacy for the new generations."
After the Divine Liturgy, a wreath-laying ceremony was held at the Heroes' Monument of the Municipal District of Avgorou.
