Overview

Angeliki Sotiriou is a Cypriot woman known and beloved by many in Cyprus for her role in The Struggle as "Old Woman Philemon." Angeliki was born in 1912 in Droushia and, years later, in her adult years, would move to Kivides, where she would open a small "Kafenion" (coffee shop), not knowing that it would become one of the most important buildings for EOKA in its entire Limassol sector. Angeliki would go on to live a peaceful life with her husband and daughter until the eve of the Struggle for Freedom when she would be recruited to help the revolutionaries with her coffee shop by hiding guerrillas, moving letters, and safeguarding ammo and equipment. Despite knowing the dangers such actions against the British would impose on her life and family, she didn't hesitate to join the cause, nor did her husband try to stop her when her learned about it later, for they were both extremely patriotic. Many were the heroes, guerrillas, and fugitives who passed through her doors, including the Vice-Leader of EOKA, Grigoris Afxentiou. She treated each and every one of the fighters she hid in a sisterly way. To many of them, she also served a motherly role by not only providing them shelter and protection but also by empowering their souls with her wisdom and advice. A prime example of the bravery of Cypriot women and an inspiration to many after the Struggle when her deeds were revealed, she was asked by a film crew in 1985 who went to interview her and document her actions if she regretted it, to which she replied, "I would do it again. Even at this age, I would still do it again." . Angeliki Sotiriou passed away in 1988, where she was buried with full honors, with many people there to show respect and thank her for her selfless actions.