Grigoris Auxentiou: 66 years since the sacrifice of the Cross Eagle of Machiras

Who was Grigoris Auxentiou? If you asked this question, randomly, to passers-by on a Greek main street 30-40 years ago, it is certain that the correct answers would be twice as many or more than they would be today.

The years pass and it is not at all self-evident that the action and offering of personalities with a significant role in key historical periods remains as well known as some decades earlier.

Through its pages, the newspaper "To Vima" and on the occasion of his heroic death on March 3, 1957 presents Grigoris Auxentiou, one of the leading personalities of the Cypriot struggle for their independence from England.

EOKA and the struggle of the Cypriots

EOKA (National Organization of Cypriot Fighters), the armed organization created on March 7, 1953 in Athens, by the Archbishop of Cyprus Makarios and other supporters of the independence of Cyprus and its liberation from British colonialism, began its activity on April 1, 1955 in Nicosia. The leader of the group that undertakes the strike against the English is Grigoris Auxentiou.

EOKA's first attack

As Vassilis Nedos writes in "VIMA" of April 1, 2005, "The city is shaken by a barrage of explosions in government buildings. EOKA (National Organization of Cypriot Athletes) makes its appearance.

"In the evening of the same day, Grigoris Auxentiou and his team hit the English bases in Dekelia, with the aim of cutting off the electricity so that blackout prevails throughout the island.

"In this mission, Modestos Pantelis from Liopetri was killed while attempting to destroy electric cables. He was the first dead of the fight against the English.

"At the same time, Markos Drakos with his group "Astrapi" blows up the Radio Foundation, while other groups blow up buildings of the General Secretariat and police stations.

Grigoris Auxentiou

Auxentiou, born in the village of Lysi in the province of Famagusta on February 22, 1928, after coming of age, went to Greece with the aim of becoming a soldier. He graduated from the Reserve Officers School and served in the Albanian Front and in 1952 he returned to Cyprus. He was introduced to EOKA in 1955 and in a short period of time was assigned by Grivas the position of deputy leader of the organization. He participated in many EOKA operations and soon became one of the most wanted by the British authorities.

The last battle

On March 3, a military force of the English located and imprisoned Auxentiou and his small group in one of their hideouts, as a result of which a fierce battle broke out.

He writes "THE STEP" of March 4:

"After a fierce battle, which lasted for ten hours, Grigorios Auxentiou, one of the leading members of EOKA, was killed. During the battle, in which he displayed unprecedented heroism, an English soldier was also killed.

(...)

"The battle took place near the Mahaira Monastery, at a distance of 20 kilometers south of Nicosia, where Auxentiou had his hideout, having apparently been betrayed. Until now, English information adds that Auxentiou comes second in line after General Grivan in the list of EOKA leaders, and was considered Griva's supporter.

(...)

"A traffic ban was imposed on all Greek Cypriot residents of the village of Lysi - located between Nicosia and Famagusta - where Auxentiou was born. Since yesterday in the homeland of the patriotic leader, heavy mourning is observed and all entertainment centers are closed. The mother of the murdered leader stated:

"I am proud of our child. It is much better that he should die in battle than that he should be taken prisoner."

On the other hand, Auxentiou's father came today to the Nicosia military hospital and identified his son's body, and asked for permission, which he received.

"Therefore, the opinion was expressed that the Ancients of the island are not going to give permission for the burial of the body and that Auxentiou will be buried in the courtyard of the Central Prisons of Nicosia, where other Greek Cypriots are also buried.

The heroic end

The accounts of Auxentius' last moments describe a heroic, martyred end.

He writes "THE STEP" of March 29, 1957.

"A young Greek Cypriot, Augustis Efstathiou, who was behind Auxentios during the battle, which was fought for ten hours on the 3rd of March, stated that he left the hiding-place when the [British] troops poured oil from a hole in the roof before blow her up.

"The young man recounted that from the place where he was inside the hideout he was ashamed to see Auxentios drenched in oil up to his neck. (…)

"When I left the hiding place, Auxentiou was surrounded by wild flames. I called out to him and his last words to me, before leaving the hiding place, were: "Don't be afraid."

Source: The Step