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We are almost at
the end of our walk now, but we must go back to
the place of the hermits cave, Eptakomi. All
the villagers wished to build a church on the
site of the cave and the Government gave us 4
acres of land for that purpose. The generous and
faithful Andreas Demetri (Manes) and his family,
living in Great Yarmouth, offered to pay for
everything, the architects fee, the builder and
materials. The plan was prepared and an
approved. A bulldozer cleared the ground and
approach road was built so that material could
be brought and building began.
The first requirement was a low wall to
protect the young trees and plants from the wind
and sea-spray, for the villagers particularly
wished that the shrine should be a place of
sweet flowers and trees, welcome shade to
worshippers and passers-by.
But none of this happened. The Turkish
invasion overran the land and many of those who
had worked faithfully for the projects were
dragged from their homes, and have not been seen
or heard of since. Among them were the President
of the village and the Builder. What a tragedy!
But our Island has, century after century,
survived incursions and long periods of
occupation and oppression by invaders, and yet
our Faith, our language and traditions have
never perished. We hope and pray that one day
this holy place may have its church in honour of
our beloved St. Afxentios.
Protopresbiter Georgios
Nicolaou |
