Iraklis M. Michaelides
1897 – 1982
Iraklis M. Michaelides is considered as one of our community’s benefactors. His parents were Michael and Elegko Michaelides, two very important persons. His grandfather, from whom he was named after, came from our village. He grew up in a large family and had four sisters.
He studied Law in a British university and was, as noted in the second issue of the annual magazine of Anogyra, the “number one barrister in Lemesos during 1919-1930”. In 1930, after the loss of his father, he went into politics and more specifically in March 1930, he became a member of the parliament. Moreover, he was a member of the Town Committee of Lemesos. His contribution to the spiritual movement of Lemesos was also important. He also proceeded with publishing articles in newspapers.
His love for our village was evident. This is transparent by both his words and actions. In 1945, he contributed a respectable amount of money for the repair of the Holy Cross Church. Archimandrite Gennadios expresses his appreciation to Michaelides “for this sacred donation” by sending him the following letter:
To the Honourable Mr. Iraklis Mechaelides
To Lemesos
Dear Sir,
The provisional Director of Antiquities has informed us that, this year, you have donated the amount of £85 for the repair of the Holy Cross Church of Anogyra and that through this amount of money you have greatly contributed into maintaining the aforementioned church and supporting its surrounding remains.
We consider it our duty to express our appreciation for this sacred donation of yours and we wish that God shall protect you and make you richer through your good deeds.
Holy Bishopric of Paphos
26th July 1945
Respectfully yours
Archimandrite Gennadios
In 1954, “Iraklis Michaelides, one of the town councilors of Lemesos, proceeded with the donation of a piece of land for the construction of a school building. Following below is an excerpt from the press of that time which is cited in the sixth issue of the annual magazine of the community.
SUNDAY February 21st 1954
NEW DONATION
Lemesos 20 (Ô.).— Continuing his donations to his beloved village of Anogyra, Mr. Iraklis Michaelides, one of the town councilors of Lemesos, donated to the village a large piece of land for the construction of a school building. The value of this piece of land exceeds the amount of £200. It must be noted that, two years ago, Mr. Michaelides donated the amount of £1000 for the transfer of fresh drinking water to Anogyra.
The above excerpt also refers to the donation of money for the transfer of drinking water. Michaelides’ contribution was enormous so that the village would be supplied with water. In the past, the same inscription used to be engraved on a traditional water tap and on the water tank of the village on the northern side, which also mentioned the following:
The Municipality of Anogyra bestows with gratitude, this commemorative plaque to the great benefactor Iraklis Michaelides, for contributing to the supply of drinking water to the village.
Michaelides “used to spend most of his free time” in our village along with his family, “Maria Rousou, the first Cypriot woman doctor and his only son Michalis”.
Michaelides was characterized for his tactfulness and good manners. What was written in the second issue of the magazine of “Anogyra” is really distinctive: “He had chivalrous manners and the touch of his hat, whenever he came across a woman, was really characteristic. Everybody who had not met him in person considered him as inapproachable. However, within his own circle of acquaintances, he often complimented the climate and the beautiful girls of Anogyra”.
Sources:
Annual Magazine of “Anogyra”. Vol.2, 2002
Annual Magazine of “Anogyra”. Vol.6, 2005
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