How to Pronounce Makarios III

Meaning and Context

Makarios III, born Mihail Christodoulou Mouskos in 1913, was a defining statesman and religious leader of 20th-century Cyprus. Ordained as Archbishop of the autocephalous Church of Cyprus in 1950, he became the charismatic and sometimes controversial embodiment of Enosis (union with Greece) during the Cypriot independence movement against British colonial rule. Following the Zurich and London Agreements, he was elected the first President of the Republic of Cyprus in 1960, a position he held until his death in 1977. His presidency navigated the turbulent early years of the republic, marked by intense intercommunal conflict between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, a coup attempt in 1974 backed by the Greek junta, and the subsequent Turkish invasion of Cyprus which led to the island's de facto division. Makarios III remains a towering and complex symbol of Cypriot nationalism, remembered both as a national hero and a pivotal actor in the island's enduring political struggles.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The standard and correct spelling is Makarios III, using the Roman numeral. A common alternative is simply Makarios, though this is less precise as it could refer to earlier archbishops of the same name or the saint. Frequent misspellings and typographical errors include: "Macarios" (substituting 'c' for 'k'), "Makarious" (adding an extra 'u'), and "Makarios the Third" (writing out the numeral). Another common error is the omission of the space before the numeral, as in "MakariosIII". In Greek, his name is spelled Μακάριος Γ΄. Researchers should also be aware that his birth name, Mihail Christodoulou Mouskos, is sometimes referenced and can be misspelled as "Mikhail" or "Mouskos" with a single 's'.

Example Sentences

Following the signing of the independence accords, Makarios III returned from exile to a hero's welcome in Nicosia.

Historians often debate the strategic shift in Makarios III's politics from ardent supporter of Enosis to pragmatic defender of an independent Cypriot republic.

The iconic image of Makarios III in his distinctive black robes and cylindrical headdress became synonymous with the Cypriot state.

In a famous 1974 address after the coup, Makarios III declared, "The coup has failed," asserting his legitimate authority as president.

The assassination attempts against Makarios III, including a 1970 helicopter attack, underscored the volatile nature of Cypriot and regional politics during his tenure.

His funeral in 1977 was attended by dignitaries from around the world, reflecting his significant international stature.

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