Early Life and Background
Georgios Charalampous came into the world on March 16, 1932, in the village of Agios Epifanios of Solea, near Flasou in the Nicosia district. His parents raised him with deep faith, hard work, and love for his country. Georgios attended the primary school in Flasou and later trained as a carpenter. His craftsmanship and dedication earned him respect among his fellow villagers.
After completing his schooling, Georgios moved to the nearby village of Kyra in the Morphou district. There, he built a modest but happy life. He became engaged to Chrystalla Ioannou, and the two planned to marry on October 30, 1955. Their wedding preparations filled both families with joy and anticipation for the future.
Joining the EOKA Struggle
When the liberation struggle of EOKA began in 1955, Georgios felt a deep call to serve his homeland. He viewed the fight against British colonial rule as a sacred duty. He collaborated closely with a student group from the Morphou Teachers’ College and offered his skills and courage to the cause.
In October 1955, the EOKA leader, Georgios Grivas (known as Digenis), ordered demonstrations to mark the anniversary of October 28, 1940. Digenis instructed the freedom fighters to continue the demonstrations even if the authorities intervened. The British colonial government forbade the celebrations, hoping to suppress Greek national sentiment. However, Digenis declared that “the tyrant wanted to stifle the national celebration in blood,” and urged the people to resist.
The Morphou Demonstration
In Morphou, teacher Vasilios Barpanis led the local EOKA group and organized the October demonstration. Students from the Morphou High School and the Teachers’ College joined the march, waving Greek flags and shouting patriotic slogans. Many residents of Morphou also joined, filling the streets with chants for freedom and union with Greece.
The demonstrators moved toward the police station, determined to display their defiance. Their courage forced the police officers and British soldiers stationed there to abandon the building. As the troops retreated, several demonstrators threw small homemade bombs, and two of them exploded near government offices.
The Shooting and Sacrifice
British soldiers responded with gunfire, shooting directly into the crowd. The bullets struck three demonstrators, including Georgios Charalampous. His comrades rushed him to Nicosia General Hospital, where doctors fought to save him. Despite their efforts, his wounds proved fatal, and Georgios died on November 5, 1955.
Legacy of Courage
The death of Georgios Charalampous ignited sorrow and anger throughout Cyprus. His sacrifice inspired many others to join EOKA and strengthened the will of the people to continue the struggle. Although he never lived to see freedom, Georgios Charalampous left behind a legacy of bravery, love, and unwavering devotion to his homeland.
