For the first time, the NSW Justice for Cyprus Coordinating Committee arranged a memorial service (μνημόσυνο) for the more than 3,000 men, women, and children who perished during the Turkish invasion of July 1974, as well as a prayer for the over 600 Cypriots who remain missing.
This significant event took place at Ayia Sophia and Her Three Daughters Orthodox Church in Surry Hills on Sunday, July 28, 2024. It marked the first time Ayia Sophia was chosen as the venue for this important commemoration.
His Grace Bishop Lakovos of Miletoupolis celebrated the special Holy Liturgy, supported by the Ayia Sophia Parish Priest. At the conclusion of the Holy Liturgy, His Grace read the Commemorative Message of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios on the occasion of this dark anniversary.
A special tray of kolyva was prepared to honour the heroes of Cyprus, set atop the national flags of Hellas and Cyprus. On the other side of the Royal Doors – the central entrance to the altar area – children and young adults from the Cypriot associations of NSW and the Ayia Sophia Parish stood with national flags and banners, dressed in the traditional clothing of Cyprus and Pontos, two historic homelands of Hellenism. His Grace emphasized the significance of Australian-born Hellenes continuing to engage in community life.
Special guests were welcomed to the Parish by President Con Zannetides, whose family hails from Cyprus. They included His Excellency High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus to Canberra, Mr. Antonis Sammoutis; Consul of the Republic of Cyprus to Canberra, Mr. Stavros Nikolaou; the Commissioner for the Citizen of the Republic of Cyprus, representing the Consulate General of Greece in Sydney, Chrysa Prokopaki, Trade Commissioner; Mr. Panayiotis Palates; Dr. Miranda Adamou and Chris Koulinos, Joint Coordinators of the NSW Justice for Cyprus Committee NSW, along with other delegates.
Following the Holy Liturgy, guests enjoyed a light lunch before proceeding to the Martin Place Cenotaph for the annual wreath-laying ceremony.
Leaders and members of the Cypriot and Greek communities gathered at the Martin Place Cenotaph to mark the 50th anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus. The solemn event included a prayer for the fallen and missing persons, conducted by His Grace Bishop Iakovos of Miletoupolis, representing His Eminence Archbishop Makarios, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia.
Dimitris Kametopoulos and Maria Pierou hosted the ceremony. The St George Brass Band performed the Last Post, and Peter Tsigounis, President of the Greek Returned Servicemen League in NSW, recited the Ode.
Wreaths were laid by His Grace Bishop of Miletopolis, Lakovos for the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia; representing the Republic of Cyprus, the Commissioner of the Citizen, Panayiotis Palates; representing the High Commission of the Republic of Cyprus in Australia, His Excellency, the High Commissioner, Antonis Sammoutis; representing the Consulate General of Greece in Sydney, Chrysa Prokopaki, Trade Commissioner; The Honourable Jeannette McHugh, former Australian Federal Minister; representing the Federation of Cyprus Communities of Australia & NZ Michael Christodoulides; representing the Pan-Australian Justice for Cyprus (PASEKA), the President Chris Koulinos; representing the Cyprus Community of NSW, the President Michael Kyriacou and many others from the community of NSW.
With tears streaming down their faces, Voula Andonopoulos and her brother Sotirios held tightly to a photo of their cousin, who was just 20 years old when he lost his life in Cyprus, bravely fighting against the Turkish forces.
Following the wreath-laying ceremony, participants marched through the streets of Sydney, protesting the brutality of the Turkish invasion.
Calls for 'Free Cyprus' and 'Turkey out of Cyprus' resonated through the streets of Sydney on Sunday afternoon as members of the Cypriot and Greek communities marched to demand justice for Cyprus, marking 50 years since Turkey's invasion of the island in 1974 and the ongoing injustice of the Turkish occupation of 37% of Cyprus.
Hundreds joined the peace march to Sydney's Lane Park, including leaders from the Greek and Cypriot communities and faith organizations, numerous Cypriot refugees, and families of those killed or still missing since the invasion. This event marked the first time in years that the march had been permitted to take place.
Photos copyright Nick Bourdaniotis / Bourdo Photography
