The “Fidel Castro of Cyprus”, vineyards and views of Mount Olympus
Published: 06.11.2023
The mountain village of Pano Panagia is the birthplace of the former archbishop and president Makarios. He grew up as the son of a farmer in simple circumstances. In 1926, at the age of 13, he was admitted to the Kykkos Monastery as a novice. He studied theology in Athens and was ordained bishop in 1948. In this role he became chairman of the executive office, which was supposed to coordinate the Enosis (political annexation of the then British Cyprus to Greece).
In 1950, at the age of 37, he was elected Archbishop of Cyprus. In 1959 he became the first president of Cyprus. With the military coup in Greece in 1967, he turned away from his goal of enosis and opposed the export of dictatorship from Athens to Nicosia, which is why he was a thorn in the side of the military power there. In 1974, a coup supported by the Greek military junta and an assassination attempt on him failed.
He was Patriarch and President of Cyprus until his death in 1977.
Critics accuse him of a desire for power and ostentation and also refer to him as the Fidel Castro of Cyprus. Others worship him like a saint.
After visiting Makario's birthplace, we took a beautiful hike through vineyards, with views over the Troodos mountains and Mount Olympus (not the one where the gods live - that's in Greece). The overripe grapes rot on the vines because after two years of very good harvests, the price is so low that harvesting and wine production is not worth it. Really a shame, but to our advantage, because the grapes tasted great.
The conclusion was a visit to the Chrysorrogiatissa monastery.
In 1950, at the age of 37, he was elected Archbishop of Cyprus. In 1959 he became the first president of Cyprus. With the military coup in Greece in 1967, he turned away from his goal of enosis and opposed the export of dictatorship from Athens to Nicosia, which is why he was a thorn in the side of the military power there. In 1974, a coup supported by the Greek military junta and an assassination attempt on him failed.
He was Patriarch and President of Cyprus until his death in 1977.
Critics accuse him of a desire for power and ostentation and also refer to him as the Fidel Castro of Cyprus. Others worship him like a saint.
After visiting Makario's birthplace, we took a beautiful hike through vineyards, with views over the Troodos mountains and Mount Olympus (not the one where the gods live - that's in Greece). The overripe grapes rot on the vines because after two years of very good harvests, the price is so low that harvesting and wine production is not worth it. Really a shame, but to our advantage, because the grapes tasted great.
The conclusion was a visit to the Chrysorrogiatissa monastery.
Answer
Travel reports Cyprus