The establishment of the anniversary of October 28, 1940 in Cyprustranslated

Written by Petros Papapolyviou, Asst. Professor of History at the University of Cyprus The anniversary of "NO" has been commemorated since 1941, with a special celebration in Paphos due to the presence there of the only metropolitan on the island, guardian of the archbishop's throne, Metropolitan Leontios of Paphos. A religious memorial service was also held in Larnaca, in the church of Agios Lazarus, by the EPA union, "of the heroes who fought on the Albanian mountaintops and sacrificed their lives on the altar of the beloved homeland". On the occasion of the anniversary, the "national fundraisers" were revived: The most hegemonic contribution was that of the church of Faneromeni Nicosia (350 pounds). At the same time, offices, unions and shops were decorated with flags.

The Cypriot newspapers published patriotic articles on the importance of "NO" with the signatures of old Unionist politicians, such as Achilleos K. Emilianidis and Via I. Markidis, as well as descriptions of the day, by Cypriot students who lived on October 28, 1940 in Athens.

During the second anniversary, in 1942, Metropolitan Leontios presided over a memorial service at the Cathedral of Agios Ioannis Nicosia "for those who fell for Faith and Country and for our slaughtered civilian brothers" and...