Easter of 1998. Shock in the community of Xylofagos but also in the Cypriot public opinion since the death of 15-year-old Panagiotis Spetsiotis. He had lost his life from burns he suffered during the lighting of the lamp on Holy Saturday in the courtyard of the Holy Temple of Agios Georgios. Years later, Marinos's father speaks for the first time on AlphaNewsLive's camera about the family tragedy they experienced on the day of the Resurrection.
"His defect I can say that he was very easily seduced, like all young people, he was somehow easily seduced"
The parents went to church for good reason around 23.30 pm. Everyone was looking at them, but they did not know why. The tragic incident had preceded a little earlier, about which they were informed, while they were in the Liturgy. Only one relative had the courage to approach them and tell them the unpleasant things.
"Then we went out and went to the Larnakos General Hospital and there we found out what really happened", says Marinos Spetsiotis.
The 15-year-old Panagiotis had suffered serious burns. According to what the newspaper "O Agonas" wrote on April 26, 1998, gasoline had been spilled around the lamp and due to the intensity of the fire, the unfortunate young man did not manage to leave. Panagiotis was hospitalized for almost three days where he succumbed to his injuries.
The incident shocked the community of Xylofagos and in the following years there were no flashbacks. Later, the renovation of the central square of the village will not allow the fire to be lit.
Today, unfortunately, the "custom" has returned and the young people continue to shine, at frightening levels.
The Church in his memory
Marinos Spetsiotis spoke to Alphanews about the great work done in memory of Panagiotis. A few years after the tragic event, the Spetsiotis family decided to build a small church for the community in memory of the 15-year-old. The plans had been submitted and the church of Agios Stylianos Xylofagos was built.
"With God's help we started in 2002, we submitted the plans after a decision of the family - my father, my mother and my brothers - we decided to give this piece of land so that we could implement, build the church. Thank God, its operation has started since 1/1/2009, it operates uninterruptedly in memory of Panagiotis "
In this small church, every year during the annual memorial service of Panagiotis, blood donation takes place. This year it will take place on April 22 in the archontariki of the church in the name of Panagiotis and Marios A. Nikolaos, a young man who, while transporting wood for the brilliance with his motorcycle, was hit by a passing vehicle.
Source AlphaNews.live