THE ARMENIANS OF CYPRUS 13 -Cypriots participated in the 1897 Greco-Turkish War, the two World Wars (1914-1918 and 1939-1945) and the EOKA liberation struggle (1955-1959) against British colonial rule in Cyprus. Also, the Eastern Legion (later called Armenian Legion) was formed and trained between 1916-1918 in Monarga village. Some Armenian l AYMA’s football team upon entering the Cyprus Football Federation (1955). l The strong “Gaydzak” (Lightning) football team (1931). Established in 1930, in March 1931 it became the first cup-holder team of Cyprus. l Victoria street (now in the Turkish-occupied sector of walled Nicosia) used to be the centre of Armenian-Cypriot life until 1963. refugees arrived from Palestine (1947-1949) and Egypt (1956-1957). The Armenian-Cypriot community prospered throughout the British Era (1878-1960), by establishing associations, choirs, scout groups, sports teams, musical ensembles, churches, cemeteries and schools, including the renowned Melkonian Educational Institute.