Village in mourning over death icon painter

ATHIENOU villagers are in mourning after the tragic death of a local painter on Saturday.
Alkis Kepolas, 53, a renowned icon painter, was fatally electrocuted at 9.20pm on Saturday while preparing to take a bath.
A 29-year-old electrician, also from Athienou, was arrested and charged yesterday with causing Kepolas’ death through negligence.
The accident occurred after Kepolas had switched on the heating unit in his house and stepped into the bath. Upon hearing his father fall, Kepolas’ 15 year old son Antonis rushed to help. He was also electrocuted, but survived because he was wearing rubber soled shoes.
Kepolas was taken to Larnaca general hospital but the on duty doctors were unable to revive him. Coroner Nicholas Charalambous confirmed the cause of death was electric shock after conducting an autopsy at Larnaca hospital and inspecting the house.
According to Politis Newspaper, the 29 year old electrician yesterday told police that he was called to the house after a power cut. He said he was unable to fix the problem immediately, and admitted to restoring the electricity supply by bypassing the master trip-switch.
Andreas Charalambous, Director of the Department for Electrical and Mechanical Services (EMS) which issues certificates of competence, said yesterday “We investigated the accident, and can confirm that the electricity cables had been rerouted, and the protective device that breaks the circuit was removed.”
Charalambous was unable to confirm whether the electrician held an EMS competency certificate, as the police investigation is still ongoing.
Asked what people can do to safeguard against this type of accident, Charalambous said “Firstly, do not interfere with electrical installations, and do not add extensions (to your electricity supply) without calling a competent EMS certified electrician. Secondly, have your installations checked every three years, and finally, if you do install extensions, these must be approved by the Electricity Authority of Cyprus.”
He added that unqualified residents carrying out their own electrical work was an issue. “The problem in Cyprus is that people improvise, for example they add their own power points, without getting EAC safety checks.”
Alkis Kepolas was one of Cyprus’ most famous and revered religious painters. He was a student of the legendary iconographic masters, Father Kalinikos of Stavrovouni Monastery, and his paintings adorn many churches in Cyprus and abroad.
In 1984 he founded the Byzantine Iconography and Mosaic workshop with his brother George, and he has exhibited his paintings at numerous exhibitions in Cyprus and abroad. 
Athienou Mayor Papua Spyros expressed is shock and grief over the accident yesterday, saying that Kepolas was a child of Athienou and his death will leave a great gap.
Kepolas leaves three children Helen, 19, Antonis, 15, and Evanthis, 11.
His funeral was held yesterday at the Chryseleousa Church in Athienou.

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