Archbishop Makarios of Australia sent a message on the black anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus.
As he emphasizes, “46 years have passed since the invasion has left the Great Island Cyprus deeply scarred, it is a wound which unfortunately remains open.
On the occasion of this gloomy anniversary, we recall the tragic events of July and August 1974 and, above all, we commemorate with respect our fallen Cypriot brothers who fought like heroes. At the same time, we reaffirm a sacred commitment of Greeks everywhere: to keep the historical memory alive! Let us not forget!
We do not forget the suffering caused to the Cypriot people by Operation Atilla. We do not forget the thousands of dead, missing and injured, nor the families of the victims who were left behind and suffering. We do not forget the 200,000 people who were violently uprooted from their ancestral homes. We do not forget that for 46 years the long-suffering island remains divided, with 37% of its territory being illegally occupied.
We join our voices with those of the long-suffering Church of Cyprus and Archbishop Chrysostomos, the political leadership of the country and all those who claim a just and lasting solution to the Cyprus issue with a view to the liberation and reunification of the island.
At the same time, we pray to God so that the blessed day soon dawns when reconciliation, unity and peace will prevail on the long-suffering Great Island of Cyprus.”