Archbishop Makarios III

Archbishop Makarios III
Name	Archbishop Makarios III
Caption	Archbishop Makarios III, first President of Cyprus.
Church	Church of Cyprus
Archdiocese	Archbishopric of Cyprus
Enthroned	1950
Ended	1977
Predecessor	Makarios II of Cyprus
Successor	Chrysostomos I of Cyprus
Birth name	Michail Christodoulou Mouskos
Birth date	13 August 1913
Birth place	Pano Panagia, Paphos District, Cyprus
Death date	3 August 1977 (aged 63)
Death place	Nicosia, Cyprus
Title	President of Cyprus
Term start	16 August 1960
Term end	3 August 1977
Predecessor1	Office established
Successor1	Spyros Kyprianou
Vicepresident	Fazıl Küçük

Archbishop Makarios III was a towering figure in modern Cypriot history, uniquely serving as both the spiritual leader of the autocephalous Church of Cyprus and the first President of Cyprus from independence in 1960 until his death. His leadership was central to the Cypriot intercommunal violence and the island's complex relationship with Greece, Turkey, and the United Kingdom. Makarios's political vision evolved from advocating Enosis (union with Greece) to championing an independent, non-aligned republic, navigating the turbulent waters of the Cold War and ethnic conflict.

Early life and education

Born Michail Christodoulou Mouskos in the village of Pano Panagia, he was educated at the Monastery of Kykkos before attending the Pancyprian Gymnasium in Nicosia. He later studied theology and law at the University of Athens and completed postgraduate work at the Boston University School of Theology in the United States. His formative years coincided with the rise of Greek nationalism under the Megali Idea and growing Cypriot nationalism against British rule.

Ecclesiastical career

Ordained a deacon in 1938, he adopted the ecclesiastical name Makarios. He was consecrated Bishop of Kition in 1948, demonstrating significant administrative skill. In 1950, he was overwhelmingly elected Archbishop of Cyprus, succeeding Makarios II of Cyprus, thus becoming both the religious leader of the Greek Cypriots and their de facto national political leader. His elevation occurred amidst a plebiscite on Enosis he organized, which showed overwhelming support for union with Greece.

Political leadership and presidency

As archbishop, Makarios became the central figure in the Cypriot struggle for independence. He collaborated closely with the militant organization EOKA and its leader Georgios Grivas, though their relationship was often fraught. After the Zurich and London Agreements, he was elected first president of the newly independent Republic of Cyprus in 1960, with Fazıl Küçük as his Turkish Cypriot vice president. His presidency was immediately challenged by constitutional disputes and intercommunal strife.

Exile and return

In 1974, the Greek military junta in Athens, in collaboration with Cypriot extremists, orchestrated a coup to depose him, aiming to achieve immediate Enosis. Makarios narrowly escaped and was exiled. The coup prompted the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, leading to the island's de facto partition. Makarios returned in December 1974 to a shattered republic, resuming the presidency amidst a dramatically altered political landscape dominated by the Turkish Federated State of Cyprus.

Later years and death

In his final years, Makarios focused on managing the aftermath of the invasion and advocating for the withdrawal of Turkish forces from the island at the United Nations. He continued to lead negotiations, though a settlement remained elusive. He suffered a heart attack and died on 3 August 1977 in Nicosia, shortly before his 64th birthday. His state funeral was a major event, attended by dignitaries from around the world, and he was buried at the Monastery of Kykkos.

Legacy

Makarios III remains a revered but complex symbol of Cypriot statehood. His image is iconic on the island, and his tomb at Kykkos is a national site. His shift from Enosis to independence is seen as a pivotal moment in the island's history. Critically, his tenure is also associated with the failure to build a stable bi-communal state and the events leading to the ongoing Cyprus dispute. Internationally, he was a prominent leader of the Non-Aligned Movement, hosting the 1970 Conference of Non-Aligned Countries in Nicosia.

Category:Presidents of Cyprus Category:Archbishops of Cyprus Category:1913 births Category:1977 deaths