Cyprus: A Wounded Soul

When Archbishop Makarios, the bearded political and religious leader of Cyprus, visited Athens last January, Greek Strongman George Papadopoulos warned him: "Your Beatitude, you should be careful. Your safety is in danger." Makarios nodded knowingly; only recently, he confided, a foreign diplomat had told him that an assassination attempt was to be made when he returned to his troubled island. "And what did you do?" asked Papadopoulos. "I didn't pay attention," Makarios replied.

He should have. Last week, bound for a monastery 30 miles away to celebrate Mass, Makarios strapped himself inside the presidential helicopter just outside his palace in Nicosia....

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!