On 3 August 1977, at 5:15 am, the heart of the first President of the Republic of Cyprus and Archbishop of Cyprus, Makarios III, stopped beating.
A few minutes later, the Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation interrupted its programme to announce the news that shocked the island.
Cyprus was plunged into mourning as thousands of citizens took to the streets to bid farewell to Archbishop Makarios, with the slogan “He lives” appearing across walls and public spaces.
Health decline before his death
According to a historical report by To Vima, Makarios’ health began deteriorating in April 1977, when he suffered his first heart attack.
Four months later, while working in his office at the Archbishopric, he experienced severe chest pain. Despite doctors’ efforts, he suffered three heart attacks within six hours and died at 5:15 am on 3 August.
The story of his heart
The death of Makarios III was followed by an unusual chapter in Cyprus’ modern history.
During the post-mortem examination carried out at the Archbishopric, Makarios’ heart was removed and taken to London by pathologist Panos Stavrinos for specialised examinations.
British specialists found no different conclusions from the initial findings. The heart was later preserved and returned to Cyprus.
For 33 years, Makarios’ heart remained kept at the Archbishopric, separated from his body, which had been buried at Throni of Panagia near Kykkos Monastery.
In 2010, following an initiative by Archbishop Chrysostomos II, the heart was placed in his tomb, bringing to an end one of the most unusual and lesser-known episodes of modern Cypriot history.
Also read: ON THIS DAY: Cyprus elects its first House of Representatives (1960)
For more videos and updates, check out our YouTube channel
