In an emotional atmosphere, the Annual National Memorial Service of the hero of the EOKA Liberation Struggle 1955-59, Loukas A. Loukas, who was martyred by the torture of the British colonialists on October 3, 1958, at the age of just 17, was held today, Sunday, October 5, 2025, at the Church of Panagia Agia Napa.
The Memorial Service was presided over by the Primate of the Holy Metropolis of Constantia-Famagusta, Archimandrite Augustinos Kkaras, while the memorial speech was delivered by DISY MP for Famagusta and Vice-President of the party, Mr. Giorgos Karoulas.
In his memorial speech, Mr. Karoulas emphasized that Loukas Loukas, at the tenderest age of his life, at a time when young people dream of their future, chose to dream for his homeland. “Through his untimely sacrifice,” he noted, “he gave us all the eternal life of memory and history, through the struggles of the nation and Cypriot freedom.”
Mr. Karoulas emphasized that today is not just an act of remembrance, but an opportunity to draw strength from the hero's sacrifice. "His silent voice," he said, "reminds us that Cyprus deserves something better; that freedom and justice are not given, but are conquered and defended so that we can have a future."
Referring to the Cyprus issue, he pointed out that, 67 years after the sacrifice of Loukas A. Loukas, our homeland continues to experience the wound of occupation. “The Cyprus issue remains unresolved,” he said, “while Turkey continues to demonstrate an intransigent stance, insisting on revisionist demands that are not consistent with international law.”
The MP underlined the need to maintain the unity and integrity of the Republic of Cyprus, noting that avoiding division requires internal unity as well as strong international alliances. “Cyprus,” he stressed, “must stand tall, leveraging its relations with its partners in Europe and beyond, with respect for international law, in order to ensure security, peace and stability in our country – as a hub of development and prosperity, based on principles and values.”
After the end of the Memorial, the flame was lit by athletes of the "Pericles Demetriou" Association, followed by a trisagion at the bust of the hero, the laying of wreaths and an artistic program by the children of the 6th grade of the Ayia Napa "Antonis Tsokkos" Primary School and the musician Niki Antoniou.
