Archbishop Makarios III of Cyprus

1913-77, Orthodox Eastern archbishop and Cypriot statesman, first president of Cyprus (1960-77). Born Michael Mouskos, Makarios was elected bishop of Kition in 1948 and in 1950 Makarios became the Archbishop of Cyprus whereupon he took an oath in church that he would achieve ENOSIS before his death. In 1953 Makarios managed to secure the support of the Greek government and created a movement for ENOSIS, this movement was called EOKA and in 1954 a Greek officer named Georgios Grivas arrived in Cyprus to become the leader of the EOKA movement. On 1st April 1955 EOKA proclaimed that its sole ultimate objective was uniting Cyprus with Greece, then in 1956 Makarios was exiled by the British on charges of encouraging terrorism. He was released in 1957. In 1958 he began to press for Cypriot independence from Great Britain rather than union with Greece. When agreement was reached on the independence of Cyprus, British installed him as President of Cyprus. Formerly a beloved spokesman for ENOSIS, Makarios was now widely regarded as a sellout of the cause. General George Grivas took to the hills to engage in pro-enosis guerrilla warfare.

Makarios pursued a neutralist policy, favoring a peaceful solution between the island's Greek and Turkish communities. After his term of office had expired in 1965 and had been extended to 1968, Makarios was re-elected in 1968 and 1973. In 1972 he came under increasing pressure from the Greek government to allow for greater Greek influence in Cyprus affairs; the Greek Orthodox Church pressured him to resign if he failed to do so. Gen. George Grivas, leader of the ENOSIS movement, launched a campaign aimed at overthrowing Makarios, this time it was called EOKA B. This effort finally succeeded (July, 1974), when a Greek-sponsored coup deposed Makarios. After several months of exile he returned to Cyprus in Dec., 1974, and resumed the presidency. Archbishop Makarios, President of Cyprus, died on 3rd August 1977.

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