‘Enosis and Only Enosis’

Abstract

Archbishop Makarios saw two important tasks ahead of him at the beginning of his reign — and both were political. The first was to consolidate the power of the Nationalists, the second to ‘internationalise’ the Cyprus question so that it was no longer a domestic issue between the Greek Cypriots and Britain. The nature of an Orthodox Church — static and ritualistic — made it unnecessary for an archbishop to spend much time on purely religious or ecclesiastical matters, apart from regular celebration of the liturgy, the observance of festivals and the requirements of private prayer. The Church of Cyprus had again assumed a national responsibility — and this was paramount. Oscar Wilde’s Canon Chasuble claimed that his sermon on the meaning of the manna in the wilderness could be adapted to almost any occasion, joyful or distressing. Archbishop Makarios could — and did — use every opportunity to make his sermons political speeches on the theme of Enosis.