March 24, 1959
EOKA FIGHTERS: Nicosia, 20 – About 300 members of the National Organization of Cypriot Fighters (EOKA) triumphantly entered the Cypriot capital today wearing EOKA uniforms. The men were driven from their mountain hideouts in seven buses and several private cars. The news of their arrival resulted in the closure of all schools, stores and offices as crowds filled the streets to give them a rousing welcome. Church bells pealed and young girls in national dress pelted them with flowers. When the first bus arrived bearing the Greek flag and the letters «EOKA,» the cheers were deafening. The vehicles took the men to the Church of the Faneromeni, where a service was held. They then moved on to the Archdiocese where Archbishop Makarios spoke to them for about 15 minutes. «You have written a glorious page in our history and are an inspiration for generations to come. You have shown that people who are ready to give their lives for freedom deserve to have it. Without your heroism and sacrifices, this day of freedom would still have been a long way off. Our thoughts also go out to those who gave their lives so that we may live in freedom,» he said. The men responded with the cry: «Long live their memory!»
