Nikolaos “Lakis” Pyrzas (1880 – 1947)
Born in Florina in 1880, he was a Macedonian Fighter who was one of the first in the region to pick up arms and participate in the Macedonian Struggle (1904-08).
Early in 1904 he travelled to Athens to meet with Pavlos Melas, to organise for the defence of Florina, he also made contact with the Greek consuls of Thessaloniki and Monastiri, urging to them the need to take action against the Bulgarians ad the Turks.
Pyrzas developed such a good friendship with Pavlos Melas, that Melas made him his deputy in his 3 campaigns in western Macedonia, Lakis Pyrzas was also with Pavlos Melas when he was fatally wounded in October of 1904. As per Pavlos Melas’ wishes, Lakis Pyrzas handed Melas’ cross to his widow and his weapon to his son.
Afterwards, Pyrzas returned to the fighting in Macedonia using Melas’ old pseudonym, Mikis Zezas.
Following the Liberation of Florina and all of Macedonia and its re-incorporation within the Greek state in 1912, he returned to live there up until his death in 1947. Today there is a bust of Pyrzas in Florina.
