Cyprus-Forum.com

[zan]

Tributes to the ‘eternal flame’ of Makarios legacy
TRIBUTES were yesterday paid to the first President of the Republic of Cyprus, Archbishop Makarios III, exactly 30 years after his death.
Government and political figures all said that Makarios, the island’s president between 1960 and his death in 1977, still served as a “symbol” and “beacon” for those wanting freedom in Cyprus.

Commenting on the 30th anniversary of his death yesterday, Government Spokesman Vassilis Palmas said, “'the memorials of the great are not held with words but with oaths and commitment to the struggle they began”.
Political parties DIKO, EDEK and AKEL also heaped praise on Makarios’ role during the island’s struggle for independence from British colonial rule and in the aftermath of the 1974 Turkish invasion.


AND WHAT HAPPENED IN BETWEEN THOSE TWO STATED TIMES. NOT A MENTION. I WONDER WHY?

“Makarios’ political path is today a precious beacon and everlasting compass for the people in the battle to stop the Turkish occupation and the safeguard of human rights and freedom of all Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot people belonging to the Republic of Cyprus,” read an announcement from EDEK.

“Even today we are inspired by the eternal flame of his cause…Makarios dedicated his life to the battles of the Cypriot people, for freedom and for democracy. He led and inspired us in those battles.”

Also praising Makarios was left wing AKEL who stated that even 30 years after his death, the presence of Makarios through his political legacy was still strong.
The party stated that “the yearning for freedom, democracy, patriotism and friendship with those who share our country were the things that Makarios believed in and fought to implement.

“His struggle to ensure those things was what inspired the people…Even under today’s conditions, Makarios remains a symbol of unity and battle for the freedom of Cyprus,” the announcement added.

DIKO called on Cypriot Hellenism to honour the memory of Makarios by upholding the battles he was dedicated to.

WHY DON'T THEY ASK THE CYPRIOT TURKS TO DO THE SAME. I WONDER WHY?

“The visions, battles and great cause of the eternal ethnarch Makarios continue to inspire and lead Cypriot Hellenism,” an announcement read.



Copyright © Cyprus Mail 2007



WE GET A LITTLE MENTION AT LEAST BUT THE OVERALL FEELING OF CYPRUS IS GREEK STICKS OUT A MILE.

[Chimera]

Zan, it is all a matter of understanding...........and clearly you don't.

Cypriot Hellenism (mentioned in the article) is not the same as Greek (deduced only by you).

You need a history lesson from the classics onwards.

Then you will be less confused.

[Filitsa]

WE GET A LITTLE MENTION AT LEAST BUT THE OVERALL FEELING OF CYPRUS IS GREEK STICKS OUT A MILE.

Make it a half mile, Zan: "those who share our country" can most likely be interpreted as Britain, Turkey, and Greece as well as immigrants from other nations. On second thought, "CYPRUS IS GREEK" does not "STICK OUT" at all because, in keeping with Chimera's post, "Hellenism" refers to the ideals of the Hellenistic period, which are undeniably universal: peace of mind, self-sufficiency, and most importantly, man is first a member of the human race and second a member of a particular "polis." The world, let alone Cyprus, is need of a healthy dose of Hellenism.

[humanist]

I see the inteligence of this forum have taken us back 43 years good luck in solvin it men and women

[Kifeas]

WE GET A LITTLE MENTION AT LEAST BUT THE OVERALL FEELING OF CYPRUS IS GREEK STICKS OUT A MILE.

Make it a half mile, Zan: "those who share our country" can most likely be interpreted as Britain, Turkey, and Greece as well as immigrants from other nations. On second thought, "CYPRUS IS GREEK" does not "STICK OUT" at all because, in keeping with Chimera's post, "Hellenism" refers to the ideals of the Hellenistic period, which are undeniably universal: peace of mind, self-sufficiency, and most importantly, man is first a member of the human race and second a member of a particular "polis." The world, let alone Cyprus, is need of a healthy dose of Hellenism.

If one was to make a synopsis of the Hellenic ideals, or ancient Greek thinking, one would probably boil them down to the following few paragraphs.

-Concept of individual freedom: importance and worth of the individual; free and critical thinking; spontaneity of consciousness; the right to live according to one's conscience and to lawfully define oneself as one wishes.

-Healthy mind in a healthy body: importance of studying, writing, gymnastics, philosophy, music, painting and other arts; awareness of perfect beauty leading to higher aspirations.

-Rational search for knowledge, unencumbered by dogmatic bias or fanaticism; value of seeking the truth and being guided by it.

-Representative government: principle of democracy allowing all citizens to participate in governing themselves; equality of all citizens.

-Use of ethics as a guide in everything, including the Hippocratic Oath taken by physicians; knowledge of ones rights but also duties and responsibilities; adherence to the rules in competing in various aspects of life (sports, trade, etc; ) strive for glory and achievement, rather than material wealth and power.

Hellenic ideals and thinking are inherently multicultural, pluralistic, anti-authoritarian, anti-conservative, anti-dogmatic, anti-theocratic and anti-mysticism. The human (the individual) and its mental, spiritual and physical perfection are placed in the centre of Greek thinking, an unprecedented achievement of human development for its time. It took the individual and placed him in the centre of focus, in contrast to the rest of the then existing other civilisations that had instead the empire or the king(s,) or the gods and the clergy (theocracy) in their centre of thought and concern. Rather than the individual being in the service of the rulers (kings,) or the state (empire,) or the mystic clergy; we had a reversing in which there was an attempt and an effort for all the above to come to the service of the individual and his wellbeing.

The above are by no means equivalent to a claim that everything was /is perfect with ancient Greek civilisation, but one should always consider that these were developments that took place 2,500-3,000 years ago. However, as ideals they stand true and valid up to this day, and they rightfully constitute the heart of what we today call and regard as the “Western Civilisation.”


PS: A correction to Filitsa's above comment, "Hellenism" does not refer to the ideals of the Hellenistic period! Hellenic ideals pre-existed the Hellenistic period, which begun with Alexander and his successor’s conquers. They are mainly (but not exclusively) connected with Pericles’ Athenian Golden Age period.

[zan]

So we get the fact that Hellenism means democracy..so why not say democracy??



What about the other two points????

[Chimera]

Personally speaking, form me the contrast between what Kifeas wrote and what Zan came back with:

"So we get the fact that Hellenism means democracy..so why not say democracy??
What about the other two points????"

............makes evident a chasm of difference in their capabilities.

Kifeas, I am sure your excellent summation of Hellenic ideals won't just fall on stony ground as it has done in the case of Zan.

[Viewpoint]

So we get the fact that Hellenism means democracy..so why not say democracy??



What about the other two points????

Exactly...the hidden agenda is clear...Hellensim in this case means linkage/union to the motherland the birth place of Hellenism meaning Greece.

[Chimera]

Oh well , I was wrong. Zan is not the only one that fails to grasp concepts.

Viewpoint, wake up there is no hidden agenda with regards to Hellenism and Cyprus.

It is only Turkey that is recalcitrant to the logic of Hellenism. But we live in hope that they will slowly, eventually come round to its civilising message.

But I can see now why it has been such a slow process for Turks to embrace the ideals of Hellenism. You have only just got used to brandishing the word "Democracy" about as though that will rub out all the evil you have inflicted.

May I refer you to Kifeas's easy introduction to Hellenism. Please peruse and learn.

[T_C]

Hellenes or Bellends??

That is the question!!!