Nicosia: Cyprus marked October 28th as National Day with a commemorative parade, honoring the historic moment in 1940 when Greece’s Prime Minister, Ioannis Metaxas, rejected Benito Mussolini’s demand for Italian troops to cross into Greece.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the day’s events began with a doxology at Saint Barnabas Cathedral in Nicosia, attended by President Christodoulides and members of the political and military leadership. The doxology was officiated by Archbishop of Cyprus Georgios, setting a solemn tone for the day.
The key address of the day was delivered by Ambassador of Greece Konstantinos Kollias. Following the doxology, a parade took place, with Cyprus President Christodoulides and Ambassador Kollias receiving the salute in front of the Greek Embassy building.
In addition to the main events in Nicosia, doxologies and student parades were held in other cities across Cyprus, ensuring that the spirit of OXI Day was commemorated island-wide.