One piece of literature, a tract entitled Peoples Pulpit, reached the schoolteacher in Xylophagou, a village in a potato-growing region in the southeastern part of the island. That teacher was visited by a local farmer, Antonis Spetsiotis. Antonis, a studious man, started to look around for something to read. He saw the tract and was soon engrossed in its contents. He discussed it with another villager, Andreas Christou. In time they obtained and read more publications of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society. They also shared with others what they were learning, and some of these joined them in a study of the Bible.

Cleopas, a theologian of the Greek Orthodox Church, was one of those who showed interest. Although he became a friend of Jehovah’s people, he never took a positive stand for the truth. Yet, he used to say: ‘Catholicism is the kindergarten, Protestantism is the elementary school, but the Bible Students are the university.’

However, not everyone spoke kindly of the Bible Students. The informal witnessing done by Antonis Spetsiotis and Andreas Christou brought upon them the anger of their village. The archbishop of Cyprus was informed, and theologians were sent to counteract the influence of the two brothers. During the next two years, a number of debates were held—a theologian on one side, Brother Spetsiotis on the other. No halls were rented for these occasions; the local coffee shop served well, since that is where people gathered. Eventually both of the brothers were excommunicated from the Greek Orthodox Church and were forbidden the right to be married or buried.

[Pictures on page 71]

Antonis Spetsiotis (right) and Andreas Christou, the first Witnesses in Xylophagou