In Memoriam: Grigoris Afxentiou

Grigoris Pieris Afxentiou (Greek: Γρηγόρης Πιερής Αυξεντίου) was a fighter during the Cypriot struggle for union with Greece. He was second in command to Georgios Grivas in the leadership of EOKA (National Organization of Cypriot Struggle). His nom-de-guerre during the struggle was Zedhros.

Afxentiou was born, on February 22, 1928 in Lysi village in Messaoria, Ammochostos (currently in Turkish-occupied Cyprus) and he studied in the Military school in Athens becoming a reserve officer in the Greek Army. In the Spring of 1955 he conducted attacks against the power company and the British-controlled Broadcasting Corporation in Nicosia. The British authorities put a bounty of 5,000 pounds on his head. In December of that same year, Afxentiou was trapped in the mountains of  Troodos, near the village of Spilia, along with Grivas and the hierarchy of EOKA. It was through his cunning that the EOKA fighters escaped during the Battle of Spilia while the British ended up fighting each other with heavy casualties.

Finally, on March 3, 1957, the British trapped him and his small team once again near the Machairas Monastery. At the ensuing Battle of Machairas, Afxentiou held off the British, mostly single-handedly, for 10 hours before they burned him alive by pouring petrol in the cave in which he was hiding and igniting it.

Afxentiou's body was buried, without a funeral, in the yard of the Central Jail of Nicosia.

via wiki.phantis.com

Comments

[Jim]

The aftermath of the British Empire can be seen clearly today around the world, and in Britain itself, divided by unjust class and racist systems, and particularly in the "gold rush" speculations of Liverpool's Capital of Culture. Its heart is empty, and its morals are non-existent. Great tribute to your hero!

[Alexia M]

Thank you for a wonderful history lesson. It was very interesting to read about Grigoris and learn more about the history of Cyprus.

[Constantinos]

The Spartan mothers used to say to their sons before they went out to battle "η ταν η επι τας" - either with your shield or on it, meaning either you will win the battle or die and be carried back home on your shield. Since the 8th century BC, the Greeks have never hesitated to fight to death for the freedom of their nation. In modern history, Grigoris was one of them. He makes us Greeks be proud to be born Greek.

[Haruko N]

In the second photo, is it the cave where he was burned alive? And what does it say on the tombstone?

[Lakis Ioannou]

Fighting for their country's freedom and willingly offering their lives for that is something that runs in the greek blood. Centuries later, Grigoris Afxentiou reminds us of Marathonas, Thermopylae, Salamina, Messolongi. Faithful to this sacred heritage, only 15 years ago, in August 1996, Tassos Isaak was shot to death by the Turkish Grey Wolves. He was a Greek Cypriot refugee that participated in a civilian demonstration against the illegal Turkish occupation of Cyprus, with the demand of the complete withdrawal of Turkish troops. He was murdered in cold blood by a mob of Turkish Grey Wolves in the United Nations Buffer Zone, leaving behind his pregnant wife. As a token of gratitude for his services to the Greek Nation, the Hellenic Republic became the godparent of his daughter Anastasia - named after her father.

[Sophia]

"Του ανδρειωμένου ο θάνατος θάνατος δεν λογιέται"

[Christina]

Our heroic heritage is handed down from one generation to another, which proves that our heroes and heroins gained immortality.

[Anastasia]

Thank you for the feedback, Jim, which I greatly appreciate. I believe that this is also due to political mnipulation and greed.

[Anastasia]

Yes, that's Afxentiou's hiding shelter. The words inscribed on a stone below the hiding shelter say: "Hiding shelter of Grigoris Afxentiou, second in command in the leadership of EOKA, born in Lysi and burned alive on March 3rd, 1957 while fighting for the freedom of Cyprus." Actually, this is not a tombstone. Grigoris was buried by the British in the Central Jail of Nicosia, at a place called Imprisoned Graves.

The "Imprisoned Graves" is a small cemetery where 13 EOKA fighters, during the 1955-1959 liberation struggle for the liberation of Cyprus from the United Kingdom, were interred. Nine of them were hanged by the British, three were killed in action and one died in hospital from his battle wounds.

The tombs were built in an area adjacent to the cells of the condemned and close to the gallows where they would be executed. The area is surrounded by tall walls and covered by glass.

The small cemetery was a brain-child of Cyprus Governor Sir John Harding who did not want the funerals of EOKA fighters to be turned into demonstrations against British rule. The condemned, as well as the four others who died, would be buried in the area without any relatives or a priest present. The nine men that were hanged were buried immediately following their execution. To save space, they were buried two to a grave.

[Anastasia]

Of course, Lakis, we should never forget the self-sacrifice and self-denial of Tassos Isaak - a pure patriot.

[Anastasia]

Συμφωνω απολυτα, Σοφια μου!

[Karolina]

For me and the younger generation,in general, this post is a great History lesson of awareness. Because us younger Greeks have to carry on by being grateful to those who gave their lives for Greece. What I find unique about our nation is precisely this self-denial when Greece is in danger. I must also admit that I did not know anything about Grigoris Afxentiou. Thanks to you I do now. Like all our heroes, he will live for ever in the hearts of the Greeks.

[Jean-Paul Bouvier]

Le véritable héroïsme n'est pas l'absence de peur mais la canalisation de la peur vers l'action.

[Haruko N]

Thank you very much for the info. I have a passion for history and learning about the history of other countries.

[Anastasia]

They were all fearless, they had ideals and felt that it was worth dying for Greece.

[Anastasia]

Thanks for the feedback, Karolina. I'm glad to hear that a young girl like you honours and respects our heroes. After all, these brave people did not hesitate to give their lives for Greece so that the younger generation lives in peace. To me, this is the greatest act of heroism and self-denial.

[Anastasia]

Je pense que Grigoris et beaucoup d'autres de son époque n'ont jamais eu peur- sinon ils auraient abandonné la lutte.

[Phivos Nicolaides]

Ένας θαραλλέος, πραγματικός ήρωας με ανεπανάληπτη θυσία για την πατρίδα...

[Anastasia]

Πραγματικά, Φοίβο, ο Γρηγόρης, όπως και όλοι τους άλλωστε τότε, ήταν παλικάρι. Θα ζει πάντα στη μνήμη μας και στις καρδιές μας για να μας θυμίζει πως "θέλει αρετή και τόλμη η ελευθερία."