**Title: ‘What Happened That Day Tore Us Apart’**
**Limassol, Cyprus** – The tragic events of July 15, 1974, continue to haunt the family of Stavros Pidias and his grandmother, Margarita Theodorou, who were shot dead during the tumultuous coup that marked a pivotal moment in Cyprus's history. More than five decades later, the impact of that day remains an open wound for their relatives, who gathered to recount the harrowing details of the incident.
Stavros, only eight years old, and Margarita, aged 62, were killed outside their family home in the Ayios Ioannis area of Limassol amidst gunfire that erupted during the coup. The family had been enjoying breakfast at Margarita’s residence on Milos Street when violence broke out nearby.
Spyros Christodoulou, a cousin of Stavros, recounted the events leading up to the tragedy. He explained that earlier in the day, his father and uncle had gone to collect weapons to help defend the local police station. However, they returned home after determining that the firearms available to them were too outdated to be effective. Shortly thereafter, a military jeep approached their area, followed by the sound of gunfire.
“We all dropped down on the veranda,” Spyros recalled, describing the chaos that ensued. Tragically, both Margarita and Stavros were struck by bullets while inside the house. Spyros vividly remembered the moment he realized his young cousin had been gravely injured. “I was holding my cousin in my arms, and I was shouting to him, ‘Stavros, what happened to you, Stavros, wake up,’” he said, noting that Stavros’s eyes were open, and he was shaking.
During the violence, an ambulance was unable to reach their home due to the ongoing shootout. The bodies of Stavros and Margarita were later taken from Limassol hospital by armed men, and their whereabouts remained a mystery for about ten days. It was only when a priest from the church of Ayios Nikolaos informed the family that they learned the two had been buried separately from a mass grave that had been planned for victims of the conflict.
Georgia Theodorou, the granddaughter of Margarita, shared her memories of returning to the family home after the shooting. “What happened that day tore us apart,” she expressed, recalling the traumatic experience of cleaning blood from the walls and ceiling of the house. The emotional toll of that day has lingered for the family, which has not received any psychological support or official explanations regarding the killings.
In an effort to honor the memory of Stavros and Margarita, the family erected a memorial in 2015 featuring busts of the two in the Paphos village of Eledio. An annual memorial service is held there to commemorate their lives and the tragic circumstances of their deaths. Additionally, their names are inscribed on the Monument to Fallen Fighters, located opposite the church of Ayios Nikolaos in Limassol, ensuring that their story is not forgotten.
The recollections shared by Spyros and Georgia highlight the enduring pain and unresolved grief that many families in Cyprus continue to experience as a result of the violence that erupted during the coup. Their story serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of political conflict and the lasting scars it leaves on communities. As the family reflects on the past, they emphasize the importance of remembering those who lost their lives and the need for acknowledgment and healing in the face of such historical tragedies.