Michael Tappis

Michael Tappis was born in 1920 in Athienou.

He was a shepherd by profession. After the murder of Christakis Vyzakos and the wounding of Nikos Kailas, as well as the killing of many other shepherds and farmers by Turks in various parts of Cyprus, some shepherds of Athienou decided to graze their herds together in dangerous areas, for greater safety.

On the morning of July 21, 1958, Michael Tappis was the first to arrive in an area near the Turkish Cypriot village of Agia, where other shepherds would arrive. The shepherd Andreas Kouklis was following him on horseback from a distance.

He witnessed the murder of Michael Tappis by Turkish Cypriots of the TMT, who were ambushing behind the bank of an adjacent torrent. Tapis was shot and stabbed while hanging his vourka on a cypress tree.

He left orphaned seven children and widowed his pregnant wife Lucia Adamos. Their child was born six months after his death and was named Michael in his honor.