An Entire Family Becomes a Living Fortress

Andreas Souroukli story from Troulloi stands as a shocking testament to how entire Cypriot families transformed themselves into living fortresses of the Struggle. He was a simple breadwinner and farmer on his lands. Together with his parents, siblings, and his wife Georgia, he placed their lives in absolute service to EOKA.

A Home Transformed into a Heroes’ Refuge

The Souroukli family had turned their property into a refuge for heroes. They constructed a hideout in their own field for the guerrillas. Andreas also hosted them frequently inside his own home, defying death at every colonial checkpoint.

The “Invisible” Headquarters of Michalakis Paridis

The Organization placed blind trust in Andreas. When the legendary Michalakis Paridis made his cinematic escape from the hospital in December 1957, he immediately fled to Troulloi. There, in Andreas Souroukli’s home, he established his secret headquarters.

Paridis constructed such a personal and inviolable hideout inside the house that its existence remained secret even from the other guerrillas staying there. The construction displayed such brilliance that, even after Andreas’s death, the British turned the house upside down with exhaustive searches. They never managed to locate it.

The Battle at the “Sameri” Bridge

On the night of August 1, 1958, the local Troulloi group together with the guerrillas hiding in Andreas’s house set up a death trap for the British at the location “Sameri,” next to a bridge on the Larnaca–Troulloi road. Their only cover came from a dense reed bed next to a deep ditch.

The night, however, shone brightly with moonlight, making the fighters’ retreat deadly dangerous. During the withdrawal, Andreas followed the bank line. For a few seconds, he emerged from the protection of the reeds and stood exposed in the light. The British opened fire and the brave young man fell mortally wounded.

The Kiss of Farewell and Colonial Pettiness

The heavy axe of loss fell upon the family, but their bravery did not break. At the funeral, the grief-stricken father, accompanying his pregnant daughter-in-law, bent over the coffin and kissed his dead son’s hand with immense respect. His wife and siblings did the same.

The British, fearing public outcry and uprising, once again showed their petty face. They imposed strict restrictions, allowing only a handful of people to attend. They even prevented some of Andreas’s own brothers from paying their last respects.

A Legacy Carried by Two Daughters

Andreas Souroukli passed into immortality leaving behind an orphaned daughter, Christina, and an unborn soul, Androula. Androula came into the world two months later to carry her heroic father’s honoured name as a medal of honour.

Andreas Souroukli. Immortal!