They may have enchained the EOKA fighters but their soul was not captured. They may have tortured and imprisoned their bodies but their yearning for freedom they could not confine. They may have killed them but their soul remained intact and immortal.
The Community Council of Phini, wanting to pay a minimum tribute to the people that offered their lives for the Freedom of this land, has built a monument in the village's central plaza in honour of the Freedom Fighters from Phini, Demos Herodotou and Efstathios Xenophontos.
The monument, august and modest as it befits the lives of the two Heroes, and will remind, will remind the young that Freedom is earned through struggle and sacrifice.
Demos Herodotou
Short Biography
Demos Herodotou was born in Dora in November of 1923. His parents were Herodotus and Afentrou and he had 2 sisters and 1 brother. He was married to Charikleia and they had 3 underage children, while his wife was pregnant with their 4th child. Demos was a permanent inhabitant of Phini and worked in the Park Hotel at Platres, which the British had commandeered; they fired all personnel and kept Demos so that he would operate the electric lighting machine that served the entire area. He was one of the most militant fighters, he was active, tireless, bold, risk-taking, and always willing to execute even the most dangerous mission assigned to him. When massive betrayals started to occur in the region, Demos was betrayed too. A police officer warned him and he -in turn -had to warn the rest of the region's fighters. He was heading for Omodos when military vehicles caught up with him on the way. Some vehicles were placed in front of him and others behind him. He was blocked, stopped still, and then shot in the iron-made bridge at Mandria. It was the 21st of January 1957.
A poem for the hero Demos Herodotou
By Hariklia Demou, his wife
|
Wake up Demos see Greek governor You were killed by ungrateful wolves
Wake up see the whole world free now You were placed deep in the earth
Wake up see your friends and have fun Where you spent your time together in the woods at night
I want to come and see you But there lies a chaos in front I wish I find you close to me When I die
When I will be dying Before I close my eyes I wish I will find you my las And talk to you again |
You were the one to tell me that You are sworn Freedom or death You have made up your mind
Wake up see freedom That has started to blossom And if we follow you It will also bear its fruits
You were out all nights With desire and sacrifice You did not think of your wife You did not think of your children
You used bombs To kill Harting Consolation and freedom for Cyprus
Traders wherever they are They should vanish Their eyes should be opened And they should have no light |
Because they were responsible for so many orphans That are on the streets Walking and thinking They have no father
Oh sky, do not let them in Earth do not make them feel comfortable And you, Priest Do not advert them
Hail to all the heroes Hail to all the patriots Hail to the immortal bodies Shame to the traders |
Efstathios Xenophontos
Short Biography
Efstathios Xenophontos was born in Phini on the 28th of October 1933. His parents were Xenophon and Anastasia and he had 3 sisters and 1 brother. Efstathios only attended elementary school and was later working as a shoemaker. He was an intelligent youth, vigorous, industrious, secretive and retiring. Whatever he wanted to do he did without showing off. He was interested in the national clubs/associations, he was a risk-taker, bold, and he defied death. Efstathios was killed on the 22nd of March 1957 by exploding bombs, which he was transferring in his motorcycle sack for the purpose of placing them in British military aeroplanes in Akrotiri, Limassol. The explosion was of great intensity. The smoke covered the area. Some small pieces of metal are what was left from the motorcycle, while the hero's body was dismembered.
