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Greek Independence Day 3/25/92 [OA 7570] [2]
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Greek Independence Day 3/25/92 [OA 7570] [2]
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Greek Independence Day 3/25/92 [OA 7570] [2]
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26
22
4
2
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19
exander's expedition was more civilizing than acquisitive.
the British historian Tarn has pointed out what Alexander
XI with his famous
was to open up a vast new world to the Greeks and to
noted that the way
had to some degree been prepared for the fall of the
scientific knowledge in many directions. Few men
produced so great 8 change in the world. He not only
Byzantine empire by the crusades especially the fourth,
badened the range of human action: he broadened the
which led to the capture of Constantinople and the founding
of a short-lived Latin state.
of human imagination. The Hellenistic world was his
and this world, the whole of classical Greece, was
This systematic undermining of the Byzantine state was
teacher of Rome, and through Rome has influenced the
aimed against Orthodoxy. the leadership of which was then,
dern world. To Alexander's persistent effort to Hellenize
as formerly. in Greek hands, as was science, education, art
Asia, Christianity owes the fact that it found an easy
etc.
of expansion'.
THE FALL OF
CONSTANTINOPLE
successors, who divided his vast empire between them,
pite of their quarrels, continued his civilizing work. The
It is significant that after the fall of Constantinople many
lemaioi. and the Seleucids introduced and cultivated Greek
Greek intellectuals, philosophers, and scientists, who had
and thought as well as pre-existing Greek social
held important positions in the intellectual world of
titutions in their large kingdoms, which included Egypt and
Byzantium or appointments at court or in the state
and Asia from the Aegean to the Indian Ocean.
machinery, fied to the West, and particularly to Italy. taking
with them not only the riches of their knowledge, which
this civilizing achievement was inherited by Rome. who
sprang from Greek education, ancient and Byzantine, but also
then embarking upon the foundation of her own empire.
the writings of the ancient Greek philosophers, historians.
the course of her campaigns of conquest she subjected
poets, and scientists who were then almost entirely unknown
Vece (146 B.C.) which, worn out by centuries of wars,
in the West. It has been demonstrated that this migration of
Ernal fighting and civil conflicts, was not able to withstand
the classical Greek spirit contributed to the great intellectual
onset of the Roman legions. But even in a subject state
and artistic movement of the Renaissance which it is agreed
Greeks (who later became known as 'Romei' from
owes a great deal to the Greek scholars and writers who
man') found a way to even the score with their lords and
emigrated at that time from Constantinople to Italy.
sters. With their superior civilization they became the
hers of their conquerors and taught them philosophy,
Ancient Greek civilization, which had passed through the
oric, poetry, sculpture, drama, and the sciences. They
form of medieval Hellenism -as our historians called the
inded their educating influence to as point where leading
Byzantine period- was handed on to the West and laid the
hans were seriously concerned about the danger of the
foundations for subsequent European civilization, of which it
denization of the Roman empire.
continues to be the constant background.
fears were, of course, exaggerated; but they were to
After the fall of Constantinople (May 29, 1453), the Greeks
degree vindicated when, later, the Roman empire was
became enslaved to the Ottoman Empire. During the four
into two parts, the eastern and the western. With the
hundred years of slavery which followed, the Asian
dation of Constantinople as the capital of the Eastern
conquerors attempted by methods often cruel and bloody to
an Empire, the Greeks had the opportunity to advance
bring the Greek nation to its knees, but were unable to do so.
national community to leading positions in this new
The enslaved Greeks managed to keep unspoiled their
fire. Helped by their Christianity, which they had hastened
religion, their language and their higher level of cultural
dopt more or less, en masse, they managed gradually to
development, as well as an invincible passion to free
their way into governmental and administrative
themselves of their foreign masters. During the four centuries
minery of the Byzantine state which Constantine the
which lay between the defeat of the Byzantine Greek state in
had founded. With the help of the Great Church of
1453 and liberation in 1821, the conquered Greeks made
tantinopie (the Ecumenical Patriarchate), the leadership
repeated attempts to regain their national independence, by
hich was completely controlled by Greek or Greek-
means of revolutionary uprisings, both local and general.
king clergy. the Greek element became almost from the
Many of these uprisings were instigated by foreign Powers,
maning the nucleus of the Byzantine empire. With the
such as the Venetian Republic, the Kingdom of France and
age of time the empire advanced by leaps and bounds to
Tsarist Russia, but these Powers made use of the Greeks only
after which one can speak of a truly Greek state.
insofar as they were part of the Powers' own plans for attacks
on the Ottoman Empire, after which the Greeks were
incient civilization of which the Byzantines continued to
abandoned to the rage and vengefulness of the Turks.
inheritors and guardians, classical education, and
THE
Thian philosophy with Christian doctrine grafted onto it,
STRUGGLE
In the end, the more enlightened Greeks realised -and did
me the intellectual background of Byzantium, and led to
FOR
to-called Greek Christian civilization.
INDEPENDENCE
not hesitate to inform their compatriots- that they should
rely only on their own strength, and not on support from
the fall of Constantinople (1453 A.D.) the Greekness of
overseas, if they were to regain their freedom. On the basis of
this realistic approach, a secret organisation called the
intium received clear confirmation and recognition from
'Society of Friends' was set up in 1814, and a methodical
2
20
conspiracy developed, planned towards à general uprising of
all the Greek inhabitants of the European section of the
Sultan's Empire. Seven years later, in February - -March
1821, revolution broke out, achieving notable successes right
from the start, especially in the Peloponnese, Central Greece
and the Aegean islands. The nucleus of the liberation army
which fought in this revolution was made up of small, fierce
and battle - hardened groups of guerillas known as
«klephtes», who, isolated and unco-ordinated, had been
fighting against Turkish power for centuries. Thousands of
inexperienced Greeks rushed to follow the flags of these
battle - scarred warriors, and in their turn went through the
continuous fighting which trained them as guerillas, so that
all together they composed an army which was ready for
action, aggressive and decisive. This was the army which for
years succeeded in facing victoriously the waves of armies
which the Suitan sent against them. The same was true at
sea. Small commercial ships, which were all the Greeks had,
were converted into warships which also proved themselves
worthy opponents of the Ottoman Empire's huge fleets,
through their crews' outstanding seamanship and vigour in
attack.
T:
The revolutionary struggle lasted for eight continuous years,
F
THE
with such significant victories that in the end three Great
C
PHILHELLENES
Powers - -Britain, France and Russia- were forced to
intervene. Beginning with diplomatic notes, and using more
drastic measures later on, they obliged the Sultan to concede
national and political independence to the Greek
revolutionaries. The great movement of 'Philhellenism' played
an important role in bringing about these actions on the part
of the three European governments. Philhellenism had by
then become a movement of great force in Europe as well as
in the United States. and thousands of liberals - soldiers,
politicians, intellectuals and scientists - moved and
enraptured by the heroic struggle of the nation in revolt, came
to Greece and fought bravely on the side of the Greeks, while
at the same time special committees were set up in various
European countries to collect money and supplies for the
Greeks and help make their fellow - countrymen aware of the
Greeks' right to live freely.
This broad movement, almost unique in history, roused the
peoples of Europe and was a source of acute psychological
pressure on the British, French and Russian governments,
having a deep effect on their decisions. When the Sultan
attempted to oppose the diplomatic representations of the
three Governments, the united fleets of Britain, France and
Russia provided a final military solution, attacking and
decimating the joint Turkish - Egyptian fleet at the Battle of
Navarino in October 1827. The Greeks by then had won their
freedom, but the state which was founded under the aegis of
the three Great Powers-who where even named protecting
Powers- was unbelievably small, since only some of the
Th
areas which had rebelled were incorporated into it; in other
frc
words, it consisted of the Peloponnese, Central Greece and
ad
few of the islands.
CO
pri
THE
The first Governor of the new state was loannis Capodistris*
FREE STATE
a Greek diplomat of considerable reputation throughout
MAR-24-92 TUE 12:42
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THE
Braddock
Prose
REEK
RECOLLECTIONS OF
AN BOYHOOD
PHOENIX
HOUSES
RIDAL BED
THE SHORES OF LIGHT
JOSEPH BRADDOCK
IN HER MOUTH (NOVEL)
A PAEAN FOR LESBOS
Poetry
AND OTHER POEMS
OTHER POEMS
A VERSE PLAY
A FLOWER: POEMS 1935-1960
OA
Coward, McCann & Geoghegan
New York
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Struggle
the rising was simple-Greece for
A Turkish tax-gatherer and his retinue were tallen upon and
murdered. A band of sixty Albanian mercenaries were surprised
Trikoupis, with other writers,
and butchered by three hundred Greek klephts. This was in
embers of the Philike Hetairia as men
atriate Greck merchants imperfectly
March, 1821; and in April the insurrection was general. Every-
where, as though at a preconcerted signal, the peasantry rose, and
in Greece, the sccret Society
massacred all the Turks-men, women, and children-on whom
dessa in 1814 had, through the con-
they could lay hands.
lkans, provided an impetus for future
Philike Hetairia let it be believed they
In the Morea shall no Turk be left,
Tsar's Foreign Minister, the Greek
Nor in the whole wide world.
refused to lead the rebellion and
efusal, the Philike Hetairia had invited
Thus rang the song which, from mouth to mouth, announced
exander Ypsilantis and his brother
the beginning of a war of extermination, The Mussulman popu-
heads of the two uprisings.
lation of the Morea had been reckoned at twenty-five thousand
time for decision. came, many of the
souls. Within three weeks of the outbreak of the revolt, not a
to commit themselves to the
without firm confirmation of the
the towns.1
Moslem was left, save those who had succeeded in escaping into
population's volatile enthusiasm
the uprising in Roumania; but for-
Mcanwhile the national uprising had found another leader in
priest and political and military
rumours of the defeat of Alexander
Bishop Germanos, the distinguished Metropolitan of Patras who,
according to the accepted popular account of the war, with other
the rebellion in the Peloponnese
clerics and notable laymen, on the 25th of March, 1821, raised the
had a more or less homogeneous
flag of national rebellion at the monastery of Aghia Lavra at
was unleashed by limited local
Kalavryta in the north of the Peloponnese. Probably this was not
violence and looting, encouraged
their intention. They would have preferred to delay their commit-
Papaphlessas and the Overlord
michalis. At first small bands of
ment until they were more certain of Russian support. They had
stopped at the monastery in a despairing attempt to stave off, or at
operated locally against Turkish
least delay, a summons by the Turkish authorities for consultation
and confined to garrison towns and
at Tripolitza, where they suspected they would be held as hostages.
Yet it was customary for the bishops and primates to mcet twice a
was a savage people's war, a revolt
year at Tripolitza to receive through the Pasha the Ottoman
ephtic chieftains against their detested
government's orders concerning taxation and police measures.
them for so long and treated them as
This year the pretext was that the Turks wanted a consultation to
of mutual extermination, with brave
devise a policy to counteract the intrigues which Ali Pasha was
committed by both sides. Many
were little more than massacre by
blockaded in Yannina by the Turkish seraskier Kurshid Pasha.
carrying on among the Greek population. while he was being
Today the monastery of Aghia Lavra stands in its shady garden,
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The Heroic Struggle
with its historic plane-tree, a few kilometres up a mountain road
above the small town of Kalavryta, and there the standard of the
revolution may be seen with its stirring inscription: "Here is the
historic holy standard Banner, that the Archbishop 'Germanos' of
ancient Patras hoist(ed) here the day of Greek Revolution out under
the historic plane-tree." It presents the Assumption embroidered
by a Greek woman (Chissos) from Smyrna. There is a bullet hole
Kalavryta. through the crown of one of the angels made during the battle of
From the monastery on the 6th of April, 1821, Archbishop
Germanos, with a force of several thousand armed men, descended
into the plain against Patras. Only a portion of his army, composed
of undisciplined peasants, carried guns, the rest merely slings,
clubs and daggers fastened to the ends of long poles. The Arch-
bishop was accompanied by the Greek primates Papadiamanto-
pulos, Londos, Zaimis and Sotiri, primates of Vostizza and Kala-
vryta. The Greek population had already risen and proclaimed
with fierce shouting the liberty of their country. The Greeks had
set fire to the Turkish quarter of Patras and the Turks were launch-
ing shot and shell from the safety of the citadel. Greek and Turk
indulged in a merciless massacre amid the burning ruins of thecity:
the only prisoners that were spared, owed their lives to fanati-
cism, some Christian youths being circumcised by the mollahs,
bivouacked during the night of the 6th, and on the Germanos following
and some Turkish boys baptized by the priests.
morning, conducting his army to the yet burning town, shut up
the Turks within the walls of the citadel, The Christian in-
habitants welcomed him with great demonstrations of joy; a
crucifix was elevated in the square of St. George, the Grecian
banners floated from the mosques, and the conflagration that
had raged for near three days was at length got under. The arch-
bishop and the other Greek generals
set forth a proclama-
tion containing merely these emphatic words,-Peace to the
Christians ! Respect to the Consuls ! Death to the Turks !2
Unfortunately, the only immediate result of the rising at Patras
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Struggle
Today the Struggle
few kilometres up a mountain road
was that the once flourishing port and capital of Achaia was des-
and there the standard of the
troyed; but every Turk who failed to reach the sanctuary of the
stirring inscription: "Here is the
citadel was slain. The undisciplined Greeks, however, led by com-
that the Archbishop 'Germanos' of
manders of little experience, were unable to reduce the citadel;
day of Greek Revolution out under
and, as soon as it was relieved on April 15th by Yussuf Pasha,
the Assumption embroidered
Germanos and his men were forced to retire to the mountains.
from Smyrna. There is a bullet hole
Other unsuccessful attempts were made to reduce Patras; but the
the angels made during the battle of
citadel remained in Turkish hands until Ibrahim Pasha evacuated
the Peloponnese in 1828,
he 6th of April, 1821, Archbishop
thousand armed men, descended
The long progress of the war, atrociously brutal, but heroically
a portion of his army, composed
borne and inspired by the peasant population, was uplifted by the
guns, the rest merely slings,
supreme heroism of such Greeks, for example, as Makriyannis. But
the ends of long poles. The Arch-
the pattern of events was complex, often obscure in motive, and
the Greck primates Papadiamanto-
fragmented because of rivalries and sudden shifts of purpose among
tiri, primates of Vostizza and Kala-
the various factions. From such a tangled skein of events it is im-
had already risen and proclaimed
possible to draw out a simple thread of narrative; but the three
of their country. The Greeks had
main periods of the war can be clearly indicated. The first period
of Patras and the Turks were launch-
of the citadel. Greek and Turk
lasted until 1824 and during this time the Greeks had to "go it
alone", except for the help they received from bands of phil-
amid the burning ruins of the city:
hellenes from the different countries of Europe. During the second
period from 1824 the tide turned against the Greeks when the
spared, owed their lives to fanati-
disciplined army of Mehemet Ali, Pasha of Egypt, came to the aid
hs being circumcised by the mollahs,
of the Sultan. The third period began with the deus ex machina
ptized by the priests.
Germanos
intervention of the European Powers in the autumn of 1827, and
of the 6th, and on the following
lasted until the end. Although it seems that the war could not have
my to the yet burning town, shut up
been won without the armed intervention of England, France and
of the citadel. The Christian in-
Russia, it remains doubtful whether the intrepid spirit which ani-
with great demonstrations of joy; a
mated the movement for Greek freedom could ever have been
square of St. George, the Grecian
permanently suppressed even if the Powers had persisted in their
mosques, and the conflagration that
neutrality.
was at length got under. The arch-
In the Peloponnese the Turks in spite of copious warnings were
generals
set forth a proclama-
caught wholly unprepared, with the larger part of the Ottoman
emphatic words,-Peace to the
army under Kurshid Pasha, out of reach, engaged against Ali Pasha.
Consuls ! Death to the Turks
The war began without any concerted plan or generally acknow-
ledged leadership. But in the deep rocky south of the still almost
mmediate result of the rising at Patras
unconquered Mani, Petrobey Mavromichalis, eighth and last and
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The Heroic Struggle
greatest of the sovereign overlords of the Mani (who became a
paramount figure in Greek nineteenth-century history), led his
clan against Kalamata and put all the inhabitants of the Turkish
garrison to the sword:
It was from the Mani that the first blow was struck. Petrobey
and three thousand Maniots with Kolokotronis and a number
of the great Morean klephts advanced on the Turkish garrison
of Kalamata. After its surrender he issued a declaration of the
Greek aspirations to the courts of Europe signed "Petrobey
Mavromichalis, Prince and Commander in Chief". The banners
of freedom were going up all over Greece, and the whole
peninsula burst into those flames which, after four centuries of
slavery, demolished the Turkish power in the country for ever
and gave rebirth to the shining phoenix of modern Greece.
Petrobey, at the head of his Maniots, fought battle after battle
in these ferocious years; he takes his place as one of the giants in
the struggle.
No less than forty-nine of his family were
killed during this contest and his capital of Tsimova was IC-
named Areopolis in his honour: the town of the war-god Ares.8
Theodore Kolokotronis, the klepht chieftain who had once
served in the British Ionian levies, had now returned to the Pelo-
ponnese where, fortified by a vision of the Virgin, he captured
Karytaena in Arcadia and massacred the Moslem population.
The revolt spread rapidly, fanned to a jubilant flame by these
initial successes. In a matter of weeks every Turk had been cleared
from the open country, the survivors of the Ottoman ruling class
finding themselves miserably besieged in the fortified towns. In
April the flames of Christian liberty had leaped the Isthmus of
Corinth and engulfed the whole of Bocotia and Attica, and in early
May the Turks were blockaded in the Acropolis of Athens. In the
Peloponnese several Ottoman fortresses still held out, such as
Coron, Modon, Navarino, Monemvasia and Tripolitza; but one
by one these were captured, with a repetition of merciless scenes of
slaughter. In October 1821 Tripolitza, the capital of the vilayet (a
province of the Ottoman Empire) was taken by storm and the
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Struggle
Today the Struggle
ords of the Mani (who became a
neteenth-century history), led his
the citadel over streets carpeted with dead bodies, and "the crown-
Greeks' cruelty reached a climax. Kolokotronis rode in triumph to
all the inhabitants of the Turkish
ing triumph of the Cross" was celebrated by the cold-blooded
murder of about two thousand prisoners of all ages and both sexes,
but mostly women and children, some of whom were tortured
first blow was struck. Petrobey
with Kolokotronis and a number
before they were killed. These acts crowned and completed the
advanced on the Turkish garrison
success of the insurrection in the Peloponnese-a sorry climax
he issued a declaration of the
-and now only Nauplia and Patras, with a few minor fort-
resses, were left in the possession of the Turks.
of Europe signed "Petrobey
Commander in Chief". The banners
In seeking to balance the relative barbarism of each side in this
all over Greece, and the whole
desperate contest between two great racial antagonists, several
which, after four centuries of
factors must be kept in mind. Turks and Greeks were peoples of
kish power in the country for ever
opposed traditions and cultures, and the Turks were Orientals.
phoenix of modern Greece.
Certainly, their heroic virtues helped, but their vices hindered the
Maniots, fought battle after battle
Greeks in their long struggle for nationhood. Probably the Turks
his place as one of the giants in
were the more cruel of the two. For instance, if a klepht lay dying
forty-nine of his family were
on a lost battlefield, he would very likely ask his companions to
his capital of Tsimova was re-
cut off his head and carry it away with them, rather than let it fall
the town of the war-god Ares.⁸
into the hands of the Turks. It is true that a Greek pallikar seldom
spared a Turk who fell into his hands; but unlike the pasha's exe-
klepht chieftain who had once
cutioners, he had neither the leisure nor the taste to refine upon the
had now returned to the Pelo-
torment of his victim, or make it last through several days.
vision of the Virgin, he captured
North of the Gulf of Corinth the fortunes of battle had been
the Moslem population.
ambiguous. In Eastern Roumeli, which was of more strategic value
anned to a jubilant flame by these
weeks every Turk had been cleared
the overland route from the north into the Peloponnese, the Greeks
than the country West of the Pindus mountains because it provided
vivors of the Ottoman ruling class
had struck with vigour, under brave but inexperienced leaders. In
besieged in the fortified towns. In
liberty had leaped the Isthmus of
ing both his favours and the peril of his whims. Among these were
the past many Greeks had chosen to serve under Ali Pasha, accept-
of Bocotia and Attica, and in early
three of the most colourful revolutionary leaders of the rebellion,
in the Acropolis of Athens. In the
Odysseus Androutsos, Makriyannis, and Athanasios Diakos "the
fortresses still held out, such as
Deacon", so nicknamed because he had once studied for the
onemvasia and Tripolitza; but one
priesthood in a monastery. The last two men proved to be dedi-
a repetition of merciless scenes of
cated, passionate patriots and were destined to win for themselves
politza, the capital of the vilayet (a
however, A was to say the least equivocal, and ended dishonourably.
golden opinions in the annals of the war, The career of Androutsos,
was taken by storm and the
famous klepht at sixteen and in Ali Pasha's bodyguard, he rose
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of
The Heroic Struggle
to be a captain of gendarmes, and was later made Commander-
in-Chief in Western Greece. He was linked with the English
philhellenes through his half-sister's marriage to Trelawney, the
swashbuckling friend of Shelley and Byron, But his character Was
devious and jealous, He came to terms with the Turks through
suspicion of John Kolettis (the Vlach physician to Ali Pasha, and
Plenipotentiary for Epirus in the First National Assembly of 1821)
then surrendered to Gouras, the garrison commander of Athens,
and was imprisoned on the Acropolis. He was found dead at the
foot of the "Venetian" tower in the southern wing of the Propy-
laea, and was supposed to have died by a fall in attempting to
escape. Finlay is harsh in his judgement of Androutsos, branding
him as a traitor guilty of charges of collaboration with the enemy,
"at whose name the finger of scorn is pointed by every Greek".
Athanasios Diakos had served as a klepht under Androutsos and,
likewise, had been a member of Ali Pasha's bodyguard. He was
also a member of the Philiki Hetairia. On the outbreak of the revo-
lution he had collected a troop of his compatriots to fight the
Turkish forces which were moving southwards from Thessaly
against the insurgents. In April the Greeks captured Amfissa and
Levadia and very soon Athens (in those days no more than a large
village, although strategically important) Was blockaded. Kurshid
Pasha's efficient commander Omer Vrioni, a Moslem Greek who
was descended from the august family of the Palaeologi, inflicted
a number of defeats on the Greeks. But now, moving south from
Larissa, Vrioni's army was opposed in the plain of Lamia by the
troops of Diakos at the bridge of Alamana, across a tributary of the
River Sperchios, not far from the pass of Thermopylae where in
the Persians,
480 B.C. King Leonidas and his three hundred Spartans had resisted
The bridge was heroically defended on May 5th by Diakos and
the Bishop of Salona, with only seven hundred Greeks, against a
far superior Turkish force. Unfortunately, after the most gallant
fighting, both Diakos and the Bishop were captured and executed.
Diakos was taken to Lala, impaled on a spit, and roasted alive by
the Turks. The record of his defiant spirit during his martyrdom
has been preserved in a popular folk-poem, one of the few ex-
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and was later made Commander-
amples of a klephtic ballad which throws a definite light on Greek
He was linked with the English
history:
marriage to Trelawney, the
and Byron. But his character was
DIAKOS
to terms with the Turks through
Vlach physician to Ali Pasha, and
A great darkness is rushing down upon us, black as 2 raven.
First National Assembly of 1821)
Is it Kalyvas who comes, is it Leventoyanni?
he garrison commander of Athens,
"Tis not Kalyvas who comes, nor Leventoyanni;
cropolis. He was found dead at the
Omer Vrioni is rushing upon us with eighteen thousand men."
in the southern wing of the Propy-
Diakos, as soon as he heard of it, was sorely troubled;
died by a fall in attempting to
He cried out shrilly, and spoke to his lieutenant.
udgement of Androutsos, branding
"Gather my company together, collect the pallikars,
of collaboration with the enemy,
Give them powder in plenty and bullets in handfuls
is pointed by every Greck".
And let them go down quickly to Alamana,
as a klepht under Androutsos and,
Where there are strong bastions, and goodly entrenchments."
of Ali Pasha's bodyguard. He was
They take light swords, and heavy guns,
letairia. On the outbreak of the revo-
They come to Alamana, and occupy the bastions.
of his compatriots to fight the
"Take heart, my lads," he says, "fear not,
moving southwards from Thessaly
Stand up boldy like Hcllenes and like Greeks."
the Greeks captured Amfissa and
But they were afraid, and scattered into the woods.
(in those days no more than a large
Diakos remained under fire with eighteen warriors,
important) was blockaded. Kurshid
For three hours he fought against eighteen thousand;
Omer Vrioni, a Moslem Greek who
His gun was shattered, and broke into pieces.
family of the Palaeologi, inflicted
And Diakos drew his sword and charged into the enemy's fire;
Greeks. But now, moving south from
He destroyed numberless Turks and seven buluk-bashis,
pposed in the plain of Lamia by the
Then his sword broke off at the handle
of Alamana, across a tributary of the
And Diakos fell into the hands of his enemies alive.
the pass of Thermopylae where in
A thousand men went in front of him and a thousand behind.
three hundred Spartans had resisted
And Omer Vrioni asked him secretly on the way,
"Will you turn Turk, Diako mine, change your faith,
defended on May 5th by Diakos and
Make obeisance in the mosque and leave the Church?"
seven hundred Greeks, against a
But Diakos answered him, and spoke angrily;
Unfortunately, after the most gallant
"Go, you and your faith, you infidels, to destruction!
Bishop were captured and executed.
I was born a Greek, and a Greek I will die !
npaled on a spit, and roasted alive by
If you wish a thousand florins and a thousand mahmoutis
defiant spirit during his martyrdom
I would that you might grant me but five or six days of life,
pular folk-poem, one of the few ex-
Until Odysseus and Thanasi Vaya come!"
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Soon as he heard this, Halil Bcy wept, and said:
"A thousand purses will I give you, and five hundred besides,
If you will destroy Diakos, the fearsome klepht,
For he will bring low Turkey and all its government."
They took Diakos, and impaled him,
They stood him upright, and he mocked them,
Insulted their faith, and called them infidels.
"Dogs, though you impale me, it is but one Greek lost.
Odysseus is still well, and Captain Niketas,
And they will bring low Turkey and all your government."4
Apart from the atrocious cruelty and stoical heroism of this
ballad's story, it reveals a point of great interest. In the line "stand
up boldy like Hellenes and like Greeks" the words Hellenes and
Greeks imply an unusual sentiment in a klephtic ballad. Although
for many years the Hellenic idea hid been canvassed, and to a
certain extent successfully popularized, the national bond which
drew the Greeks together at this time was less Hellenism than
Orthodox Christianity; not the classical body of the country but
its Byzantine soul. The long static tradition of ikon-painting, with
its glowing inner spiritual luminosity, may be regarded as the
symbol and epitome of Greek continuity. It was the devotion of
the Greeks to their Byzantine Christianity that enabled them to
maintain, unchanged, an undying hostility to the infidel.
And in a sense it is the same today. The ordinary Greek villager
would be much less interested in such fabulous forbears as Homer,
Plato, Pericles, Miltiades at Marathon or Leonidas at Thermopylae,
than he would, were the subject broached, by a reminder of the
deeds of the klephtic chieftains like Androutsos, Botzaris, Mavro-
michalis, Karaiskakis, and Kolokotronis wearing his fireman's
helmet, in all the kilted and moustached pallikars, and of course in
Diakos and his men waving their scimitars, fighting like lions by
the bridge of Alamana against the blaspheming Turk.
Other men who have never lost their romantic gloss were the
heroes of the Greek war at sea, led by such Admirals as Miaoulis
of Hydra and Kanaris of Psara. The expertise of the thousands of
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anonymous sea captains and ordinary scamen was a second deter-
and
said:
and five hundred besides,
mining factor in the fortunes and progress of the war. Most Greeks
had learnt to handle a boat from infancy, and grew up to be brave
rsome
klepht,
and adroit sailors; indeed, the long seafaring tradition of islands
all its government."
like Hydra and Chios persists to the present day in some of the
wealthiest shipping dynasties. In a war fought for the most part on
nocked
them,
or near the large peninsula of the Peloponnese, whose principal
infidels.
fortifications lay along the coast, control of the routes of com-
is but one Greek lost.
munications, entrances to the Gulf of Corinth and the Isthmus of
Niketas,
and all your government."4
Corinth, with the mainland were all-important.
While the Greeks were by nature and tradition the finest
and stoical heroism of this
sailors in the Mediterranean, the Turks, from their origins, were
great interest. In the line "stand
by no means a maritime race. The Grecks were always prepared
reeks" the words Hellenes and
to dismiss them with contempt as "landlubbers". Certainly, late
in a klephtic ballad. Although
in Turkish history, in the early sixteenth century, a formidable
had been canvassed, and to a
navy had been forced upon the Turks by the genius and will-
the national bond which
power of Kheir-ed-Din Barbarossa, Sultan Suleiman the Magnifi-
time was less Hellenism than
cent's High Admiral, who, acting from the Barbary Coast, had
lassical body of the country but
successfully fought Spain, Genoa and Venice, and made the
tradition of ikon-painting, with
Ottoman Fleet a terror and a byword for piracy. But those days
osity, may be regarded as the
were over. Now in April 1821 it was a different matter. When the
ntinuity. It was the devotion of
islands revolted, Spetsai on the 7th, Psara on the 23rd, Hydra on
the 28th and Samos on the 30th, the Ottoman Government found
hristianity that enabled them to
hostility to the infidel.
themselves in a predicament about equipping a fleet to fight the
The ordinary Greek villager
very people from whom they had formerly drawn their recruits.
such fabulous forbears as Homer,
They were obliged to man their ships with impressed crews of
or Leonidas at Thermopylae,
untrained dock-labourers, peasants, fishermen and boatmen, sup-
broached, by a reminder of the
plemented by a motley collection of Algerian pirates and Genoese
Androutsos, Botzaris, Mavro-
and Maltese mercenaries who were mostly ignorant of the sea.
kotronis wearing his fireman's
Although the Turks had once been invincible on land, they were
stached pallikars, and of course in
more helpless at sea, and there was some derisive talk among
scimitars, fighting like lions by
British seamen, describing the Turkish fleet as being "adrift in the
blaspheming Turk.
Archipelago". Although in bulk and tonnage the Turks were
vastly superior, on many occasions they proved no match for the
their romantic gloss were the
Greek brigs and fully armed frigates whose crews were well
by such Admirals as Miaoulis
trained, if not always well disciplined. Under such circumstances,
The expertise of the thousands of
though the need for action was imperative, it was small wonder
89
13
The Heroic Struggle
that the Ottoman navy was laggard in leaving the Dardanelles.
When at last it did so, it had only eight warships and these were
under-navigated by crews who had little more than a rudimentary
knowledge of seamanship.
The Greck fleets were split into two squadrons, the larger one
of thirty-seven sail under Admiral Iacobos Tombazis cruised the
archipelago on the lookout for the appearance of the Turks. The
other squadron, commanded by Andreas Miaoulis, sailed to block-
ade Patras and keep watch on the coasts of Epirus. It must, how-
ever, be here admitted that the Greeks opened the war at sea with
some hideous atrocities, a counterpart to the cruelty of the war on
land. Finlay records how eight brigs from Spetsai captured by sur-
prise an Ottoman corvette of twenty-six guns and a brig of
sixteen guns at Melos, and that the Turks on board were taken to
Spetsai and tortured before being executed. Another such incident
he describes thus:
Two Hydriot brigs, commanded by Sachturi and Pinotzi,
captured a Turkish vessel with a valuable cargo, among which
were some rich presents from Sultan Mahmud to Mehemet
Ali, pasha of Egypt. A recently deposed Sheik-êl-Islam, or
patriarch of the orthodox Mussulmans, was a passenger on
board, accompanied by all his family. It was said that he was on
the pilgrimage to Mecca. He was known to have belonged to
the tolerant party of the Ottoman government. There were
other Turkish families in the ship. The Hydriots murdered all
on board in cold blood; helpless old men, ladies of rank, beauti-
ful slaves, and infant children, were butchered on the deck like
cattle. An attempt was afterwards made to extenuate this un-
merciful conduct, by asserting that it was an act of revenge.
This assertion is false. Those who perpetrated these cruelties did
not hear of the execution of their own orthodox patriarch until
after they had murdered the orthodox patriarch of their ene-
mies. The truth is, that both by land and sea the war commenced
as a war of extermination. Fanatical pedants talked of reviving
the glories and the cruelties of classic times as inseparable conse-
quences of Greek liberty. They told how the Athenians had
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success. The Hydriot Admiral
the line-of-battle ship, whose hull they soon enveloped in a sheet
one of the most azistocratic and
of fire. The flames and the dense clouds of smoke which rushed
3 was an honourable and well-
along the deck and poured in at the ports, tendered it impossible
in to consulting his inferiors over
to make any effort to save the ship, even had the crew been in a
ting in his own better judgement.
much better state of discipline than it was. The cable was cut,
:ry democratic. Perhaps not even
and two launches full of men left the ship. Many of the sailors
intained strict discipline in 2 fleet
jumped overboard and swam ashore; bur It is supposed that
mit clan and every common sailor
between three and four hundred persons perished. About
II a.m. the magazine exploded, and left her a complete wreck.
1 Greek squadron under Admiral
This conflagration Was the naval beacon of Greek liberty.
an flect. Although the Greek ships
were inferior in size and weight of
So Pappanikolis, whose marble bust may be seen today on
eyed beyond range of the Ottoman
the waterfront, became the hero of Eressos. After a few days. as a
tunity to attack. This came on the
reprisal, the Turks massacred the Greek community at Aivali on
when a Turkish line-of-battle ship.
the mainland.
during the night. was sighted north
Admical Constantine Kanaris of Psara, who was to destroy the
bls gave chase and were soon over-
Turkish flcct off Chios a year later, was a man of incomparable
man. The Turkish captain altered
skill and courage whose dashing naval exploits carned him an
ider full press of sail; but unable to
enduring fame beyond the limits of Greece. He was one of the
>>> he again changed course and
heroes of the revolution.
on the north-west coast of Lesbos
But perhaps the best known and best loved of the Greek
: under the stem of the Turkish
admirals was Andreas Miaoulis. From early childhood he had
il of shot which proved harmless
worked on his father's vessel where he acquired a mastery of sca-
he Turk. Admiral Tombazis then
manship. During the Napoleonic wars he had amassed 1 fortune
council of WAT to meet on his flag-
by successfully running his cargoes through the French blockade
use of fire ships, which had been
of the Muditerranean, His personal character was exemplary,
se fire-ships was commanded by a
raising him high abovc some of the cruder self-seekers by whom
c. burner". who was successful in
Le was surrounded. Miaoulis proved himself to be a natural sailor
his brûlor under the prow of the
and & naval gennus; yet be was so little literate that he could only
z, the "Moving Mountain". Now
laboriously add his signature to his letters and despatches. A photo-
; that he himself would almost
print copy of one of his letters in my possession, dated rath of
: enemy vessel. What happened on
January, 1828, i3 addressed "To the Honourable Committee of
Cressos is described by Finlay:
the Chiots!" who had escaped the terrible massacre of February
1822 on Chios and were then living on the island of Syra. A
e sails of the fire-ship in an instant,
translation of part of it may be of authentic interest. The hand-
the rigging were saturated with
writing is that of Papadopoulos, one of Misoulis's secretaries.
:iven by the wind over the bows of
Only the last four words WCIC written by the Admiral:
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CHAPTER VI
insula of Chalcidice where Mount
the Christians had been worsted,
is and return to their daily occupa-
'cloponnese remained impressive;
Makriyannis
/ gurrison-towns and the island of
all of the country south of a linc
e east to the cape of Actium in the
for the future. they felt confident
Assembly before the close of 1821.
8zz a Constitution at Epidaurus.
Contrary to some of the bitter and sordid brutalities of much of
raly on December the rith, TH21,
the first year's fighting, there is everything to lift the heart in the
"The news of the Grecks continues
character of Makriyannis. one of the war's noblest heroes
it may be said that the Pelo-
Makriyaunis (whose name by derivation means tall or long John)
at Mavrocordato has been acting
was as hrave a champion as any of the uprising of his people
probably fill a high rank in the
against the tyranny of the Turk, and his life (1797-1864) for more
ic."
than hall a century was entirely bound up with the story of
revived Hellenism, His Memoirs are invaluable for elucidating how
the people felt while fighting during those long troubled years
when modern Greece was being born. His work remains 2 record
of supreme importance because it enshrines the conscience of a
resurgent nation.
The facts of Makriyannis's life may be briefly tabulated. He
was of humble origin, the youngest son of a poor shepherd from
a they village near Lidoriki in the mountains of central Greece. He
married in 1825 and had twelve children, but the first four died in
infancy. He began as an illiterate; yct in carly manhood he became
a prosperous merchant. During his youth he had been sworn in as
& member of the Philike Hetairia, and fought from the beginning
of the rebellion and was eight times wounded. At the age of thirty-
two he taught himself to write in order to record his memories,
and eventually produced a work of historical value whose main
ingredients are patriotism. religious fervour, and 20 uncompromis-
ing toughness in defending the Greeks' pride of achievement.
Makriyannis's Memoirs are also a work of art; for he was a born
writer, possessing 1 fiery imagination fed from the deep sources
of both experience and traditional folk-song. Makriyannis rose
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from a shining commander of irregulars to become 2 general and
he survived the war.
Lu weighing the literary importance of the Memoirs. It is impos-
sible not to be impressed by the opinion of George Seferis,
Greece's Nobel Prize winner for literature, who sent a gift-copy
of the 1947 edition to C. M. Woodhouse with the inscription:
"For my learned friend Monty, this illirecate my master in Greck":
and also hy Woodhouse's own tribute to "the first great artist
in written demotic". While reading Makriyannis, Woodhouse
seemed, he says, to be listening "to the language of the Homeric
pallikória, spoken centuries before Homer" and points out that the
General was 3 poet-"he could not have been Seferis's master
otherwise". Makriyannts was, on more certain evidence than was
Shakespeare. "self-school'd, self-scann'd, self-honour'd, self-
secure".
But at the same time Makriyannis's honourable soul was en-
shrined in the body of 2 tall strong peasant. He was of course a
tough man of his age who could, as occasion demanded, write a
bawdy jest, be unrelentingly severe in taking what he considered
just retribution, but also blame his own side when he believed it
to be at fault. Above all, he repeatedly showed compassion for the
wronged and suffering, whether they happened to he his friends
OL his enemies. An arbitrary quotation or two concerning the first
year's fighting will illustrate the honesty and simplicity of his
style:
In March 1821 I took some money and crossed to Patras. The
Turks were suspicious when they saw a man of Roumeli; I
was in danger. When I was in the Russian consulate
the
Greeks began to ask me stnpid questions. I was lodging in
what was called Tatarakis's Inn. There were people from
Yannina and Arta staying there. I went to the consulate, told
them of the happenings in Roumeli and of the ill face of Ali
Pasha, He had made a sally from the fort opposite the palace
in the city of Yantina and a multitude of his men were killed.
He had lost the flower of his army.
These people did not believe a word of what 1 said-they
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Makriyanis
1
regulars to become 1 general and
wanted Ali Pasha to win and deliver them-him Ali Pasha the
tyrant, to aid the cause of Greece and bring freedom to our
rtance of the Memoirs, it is impos-
country, this man who. had be gained the day, would not have
the opinion' of George Seferis,
left E our nostrils to breathe with "
r literature, who sent a gift-copy
Voodhouse with the Inscription:
In writing his account of an action, similar to many others,
his illiterate my master in Greck";
which took place in June when some cighty Greeks were attacked
1 tribute to "the first great attist
in a mountain pass duminated by six thousand of Kurshid Pasha's
ading Makriyannis, Woodhouse
troops, Makriyannis reveals his qualities of fair-miuded realism,
"to the language of the Homeric
his faith in God and his patriotic fervour. The Greek position was
e Homer" and points out that the
defended by Bakolas Gogos, an armatole under Ali Pasha and an
1 not have been Seferis's master
uncle of Karaiskakis:
a more certain evidence than was
-If-scann'd, self-honour'd. sclf-
After the Turks and the Greeks had fought like lious for more
than eight hours, over a thousand Turks were killed. and their
rannis's honourable soul Was en-
skelenous remained unbroken for a whole year; the bones had
ong peasant. Hc was of course a
dried hard. So many of them fell dead and were wounded that
d, as occasion demanded, write 2
Arta was full of fugitives, The Greeks drove them before them
ere in taking what he considered
with their daggers and hunted after them as far AS Komboti,
his own side when he believed it
causing grcat slaughter and seizing much boory, Neither the
atedly showed compassion for the
Grocks nor the Turks could be accused in the matter of their
they happened to be his friends
bravery: both sides fought like lions. However, injustice was
tation or two concerning the first
vanquished. for all bravery could do, because the Turks had
if honesty and simplicity of his
gone far from the ways of God. On that day all the leaders and
the soldiers did their duty. Gogos of beloved memory ontshone
all others in his glory. Our country owes him thanks. He fought
noney and crossed to Patras. The
like a lion and commanded like $ philosopher. And, on that
they SRW 2 man of Roumeli; I
day, our country raised its head again.2
n the Russian consulate
the
pid questions. I was Indging in
Makriyannis always did his best to instil into his men a sense of
Inn. There were people from
honourable behaviour. He was against all forms of atrucity, pillage
TO. I went to the consulate, told
and looting, becoming furiously incensed if he found 0111 that in
oumeli and of the ill fate of Ali
these matters his soldiers had disoheyed him. During the year T824,
rom the fort opposite the palace
when he was fighting in Arcadia. hc discovered that some of his
multitude of his mcn were killed.
tranps had plundered 2 village near Tripotamon in defiance of his
mmy.
commands. When the abused inhabitants came to him weeping,
Ve 2 word of what I said-they
he could not help them and felt 2 deathly shame. So he went off
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when 101 export to
awareness that they were the heirs to a heritage that was
central Europe, was very much the exception. Greek
universally admired throughout the civilized world. A
entrepreneurs during the 18th century were very
key role in this effort to re-awaken a "Sense of the Past'
largely engaged in the export of raw materials from the
in his compatriots was played by Adamantios Korais.
Ottoman empire to western Europe and with the
Korais was born in Smyrna in 1748. After an unsuccess-
importation of western manufactured foods and
ful stint as a merchant in Amsterdam, he studied
colonial produce. By the end of the century Greek
medicine at Montpellier and in 1788 settled in Paris
merchants had come virtually to monopolize the
where he remained until his death in 1833. Here he
commerce of the empire, in the process presenting a
established a formidable reputation as a classical scholar
formidable challenge to the established interests of
and prepared editions of classical texts for his com-
British, French, Dutch and Italian merchants who
patriots in the Greek lands. These he prefaced with
enjoyed a privileged status under the capitulatory
improving exhortations in which he sought to instil a
regime. By this time Greek had effectively become the
sense that the Greeks were the inheritors of the
lingua franca of Balkan commerce, and Greek mercantile
incomparable cultural heritage of ancient Greece and
paroikies, or communities, had been established
urged them to cast off the mantle of Byzantine
throughout the Mediterranean, southern Russia and
ignorance in which they had been enveloped. He
central Europe and as far afield as Calcutta in India and
believed passionately that only through education
New Smyrna in Florida. At the same time a flourishing
could the Greeks prepare themselves for emancipation
mercantile marine developed in the three "nautical"
from the double tyranny of the Ottoman Turks and the
islands of Hydra, Spetsai and Psara, with Greek sea-
monkish ignorance of the hierarchs of the Orthodox
captains and their crews making huge profits breaching
church.
the continental blockade imposed during the French
By the early decades of the 19th century, then, Greek
revolutionary and Napoleonic wars. The venerable
society was undergoing a process of rapid social change
tradition of Greck piracy in Aegean waters, coupled
and (as Professor Svoronos has described in an earlier
with the fact that Greeks made up a large proportion of
chapter) a small but growing number of Greeks,
the crews of the Ottoman fleet, was to prove an
besides becoming increasingly resentful at the continu-
invaluable asset during the War of Independence.
ance of Ottoman rule, were developing a distinct sense
The existence of this prosperous and widely dis-
of ethnic identity. But many of the élites of Greek
persed Greek mercantile bourgeoisie during the de-
society, the Phanariots, the hierarchy of the Orthodox
cades before independence is an established fact. But
church, the wealthier merchants, the kocabasis, or
the political consequences of such a development were
provincial notables, were comfortably wedded to the
ambiguous. Some merchants, contrasting the order and
Ottoman status quo. Moreover, the nationalist enthu-
positive encouragement to trade they encountered in
siasms of the small intelligentsia, which was to be found
the states of western Europe with the lawlessness and
more in the Greek communities of the Diaspora than
obstacles to the development of an orderly commerce
within the Greek lands, largely passed over the heads of
within the Ottoman dominions, were moved to give
the great mass of the Greek people. It was only towards
their support to the nascent national movement. The
the very end of the 18th century that the first efforts
majority of these merchants, however, particularly the
were made towards concerting an armed revolt against
more prosperous among them, were reluctant to
the Ottomans.
jeopardize their newly found wealth. But where these
merchants did unquestionably contribute to the devel-
The struggle for independence
opment of a Greek national consciousness, to an
The first to develop plans for a co-ordinated revolt
awareness of a specifically Greek rather than merely
against the Ottomans was Rigas Velestinlis, a Helle-
Orthodox Christian identity, was in providing the
nized Vlach from Thessaly who had acquired his
material base for the intellectual revival that was such a
earliest political experience in the service of the Phana-
pronounced feature of the late 8th and early 19th
riot hospodars of the Danubian Principalities. During his
centuries. Besides endowing schools and libraries and
stay in Vienna in the 1790s he had been strongly
subsidizing a growing literature in modern Greck,
influenced by the French Revolution. The French
published almost exclusively outside the Ottoman
example is clearly apparent in a number of political
dominions, these merchants enabled young Greeks to
tracts which he had printed and with which he intended
study in the universities of western Europe. Here they
to revolutionize the Balkans, inciting not only the
came into contact not only with societies where the rule
Greeks but the other Balkan peoples to throw off the
of law prevailed but also with the intoxicating ideas of
insufferable tyranny of the Turks. The most important
the European Enlightenment, the French Revolution
of these were the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the
and Romantic Nationalism.
New Political Constitution of the Inhabitants of Rumeli,
They became aware, moreover, of the hold which the
Asia Minor, the Islands of the Aegean and the Principalities
language and civilization of ancient Greece had over
of Moldavia and Wallachia. This latter was essentially a
the minds of their educated European contemporaries
blueprint for a revived Byzantine empire but with
and this, in turn, helped to stimulate within them an
republican institutions on the French model in the place
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of monarchieal, and with the Greck element in the
empire in firm control. This was not yet a plan for a
19
Greek national state. Nothing came of his grandiose
schemes, however, for he was betrayed before he had
even left Habsburg territory and, after being handed
over with a handful of fellow conspirators, was
strangled by the Ottoman authorities in the fortress of
Belgrade in May of 1798. If Rigas' achievement in
practical terms was nil, none the less his activities
alarmed both the Ottoman Porte and the hierarchy of
the Orthodox church. The apprehensions of both were
further heightened by the French occupation in 1797,
with all the panoply of revolutionary 'liberation', of the
Ionian Islands, which had hitherto formed part of the
Venetian Republic. The occupation of the Ionian
Islands and Bonaparte's subsequent invasion of Egypt
in 1798 brought the pernicious doctrines of the French
Revolution to the very borders of the empire.
shadow pupper representing the Klepht leader Theodoras
Moreover, the fact that the Ionian Islands after 1815
Kolokotronis. In the complicated manoeurres after the war,
constituted, notionally at least, an independent state
Kolokotranis supported the Russian interests, rebelling against King
under British protection afforded a suggestive example
Otto in 1833.
of an area of free Greck soil not under Ottoman control.
Although Rigas Velestinlis' achievement was much
re-symbolic than real, he was to inspire those Greek
Ottoman empire enjoyed by Serbia. He did not,
nationalists who believed that intellectual revival and
however, betray the conspiracy and, in 1820, the
an increasingly conscious Greek nationalism must be
Society persuaded Prince Alexander Ypsilantis, a
followed up by concrete plans for an armed revolt, The
Phanariote serving as an aide-de-camp to Tsar Ale-
lead in such an undertaking was assumed by three
xander, to assume the supreme leadership of the society.
somewhat marginal members of the Greek mercantile
Nothing came of the elaborate schemes engineered by
Diaspora, Emmanouil Xanthos, Nicholas Skouphas
the leadership to stimulate an uprising that would also
and Athanasios Tsakaloff. These founded in 1814,
be supported by the Bulgars and the Serbs, for in many
significantly not within the Greck lands themselves but
parts of the Balkan peninsula there was a growing
in Odessa, one of the important centres of the Diaspora,
resentment at Greek ecclesiastical and cultural hege-
the Philiki Etairia or Friendly Society. The Philiki
mony. The Philiki Etairia's chance was to come,
Etairia had but one aim, namely the 'liberation of the
however, when in 1820 the Sultan Mahmud II, as part
Motherland' through an armed and co-ordinated upris-
of his policy of secking to restore the authority of the
ing. Strongly influenced by Freemasonry, the Philiki
central government, launched a campaign to destroy
Etairia embraced four categories of membership, who
the power of Ali Paşa, the ayan who controlled much of
were initiated into the society with elaborate rituals. In
mainland Greece. Such a campaign would inevitably tie
its carly years the Society made relatively little headway
up to substantial part of the Sultan's armies and
in its efforts to recruit members. From 1818 onwards,
presented an opportunity that was not to be missed.
however, membership grew apace, particularly among
Ypsilantis, therefore, launched an invasion of the
the Greek communities of the Diaspora. From the
Danubian Principalities across the river Pruth in March
beginning, the Arche, or leadership of the society,
1821, issuing a call to arms with an appropriate
sought to cultivate the impression that it enjoyed the
invocation of the glories of ancient Grecce. He had
blessing of Russia, which the Greeks at large had been
hoped to exploit a concurrent uprising of the native
nurtured to consider as the most likely external power
Rumanian inhabitants of the Principalities against the
to emancipate their Orthodox co-religionists. Two
local boyars, or notables. But those who had rallied to
attempts were made to prevail upon Count Ioannis
the standard of Tudor Vladimirescu showed little
Capodistrias, a Corfiote Grcek who since 1816 had been
enthusiasm for fighting on behalf of Greeks, whom
the Tsar Alexander I's joint foreign minister and a man
they regarded as quite oppressive as the Ottoman
thoroughly versed in the ways of international diplo-
Turks. It was not long, therefore, before Ypsilantis'
macy, to assume the overall leadership of the con-
ragged army of emigré Greeks and students was routed
spiracy. Capodistrias, however, considered the whole
by Ottoman forces at the Battle of Dragășani in June
enterprise to be foolhardy and doomed to failure and
and Ypsilantis himself was forced to flee across the
counselled instead that the Grecks should await the
borders into the Habsburg empire.
outcome of the next in the scemingly interminable
Soon afterwards (the precise degree of co-ordination
series to of Russo-Turkish wars, when they might aspire
between the two uprisings is not clear) scattered
the kind of semi-autonomous status within the
outbursts of violence culminated in a fully Aedged
revolt in the Peloponnese, an uprising which Was to
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meet with considerable initial success. The fighting was
with the trappings of a liberal constitutional state on the
marked by atrocities committed by both sides and it was
European model. The island shipowners, whose contri-
not long before the Turks, very much in a minority in
20
bution to the war at sca was substantial, also demanded
this area of the Sultan's domains, retired to their coastal
their share of the political spoils. Broadly speaking the
fortresses. To the initial element of surprise, the
cleavage can be interpreted in terms of a struggle for
Greeks' long tradition of klephtic warfare and the
power between the 'military' or 'democratic' party, in
rapidity with which their sea-captains were able to gain
which the former klephtic leaders represented, if only
command of the sca, enabled the insurgents to seize the
by default, the interests of the broad mass of the Greek
initiative during the early years of what was to prove a
population, and the 'civilian' or "aristocratic" party. The
protracted struggle. The news of the uprising,
'civilian' party was centred on the Peloponnesian
moreover, aroused the enthusiasm of liberal opinion
primates, the island shipowners and the small group of
throughout the civilized world and it was not long
Phanariot politicians who had gained their political
before foreign philhellene volunteers, the most pro-
experience under the Ottomans but who had chosen to
minent of whom was Byron, began to arrive to offer
side with the insurgents.
their services to the embattled insurgents. These
Another dimension to the cleavage was the con-
philhcllenic volunteers came from a number of coun-
frontation that emerged between the modernizers,
tries (a solitary Cuban is recorded) and numbered in
largely western-educated and dressing in the western
their ranks, besides the genuine idealists, a number of
fashion, alafranga, and the élites that had hitherto
do-gooders who saw in Greece a kind of laboratory for
dominated Greek society and whose traditional out-
their various enthusiasms, together with a sprinkling of
look was reflected in their dress. These westernizers
downright rogues. Some, indeed, became disillusioned
sought to develop a regular army on European lines
when they discovered that the modern Greeks bore
and were anxious to equip Greece with the full panoply
precious little resemblance to the worthics of Periclean
of the institutions of a liberal constitutional state and to
Athens. Throughout Europe philhellenic committees
place a firm limit on the powers traditionally enjoyed by
were set up to raise money for the Greek cause and to
the Orthodox church. The traditional élites, unlike the
relieve distress and these activities had some limited
westernizers, had no fully articulated national con-
effect in eventually moving the governments of the
sciousness. Instead they tended to sce the war in terms
Europe of the Holy Alliance, which initially looked
of a religious crusade against the Moslem Turks. They
upon the revolt with ill-disguised horror, to intervene
had no concept that they were fighting for political
in the conflict,
democracy. Rather they were anxious to cling on to
The initial successes of the insurgents were soon to
their traditional prerogatives and to protect the privi-
raise the question of the governance of the newly
leged position that they already enjoyed within Greek
acquired. territories. It was not long before three
society. Essentially they thought in terms of substitut-
provisional governments came into existence. Early in
ing their own oligarchical rule for that of the Turks.
1822 a highly democratic constitution was adopted,
While these political divisions were dividing the
which reflected the aspirations of the westernizing
insurgents, the military situation took a drastic turn for
intelligentsia and which was clearly intended to present
the worse. For the Sultan Mahmud II, in his determina-
an attractive image to enlightened opinion in Europe. It
tion to crush the Greek rebellion, had enlisted the
was not, however, until 1823, when a revised constitu-
support of his nominal vassal, Mehmet Ali, the ruler of
tion was promulgated, that the three local governments
Egypt, and of his son Ibrahim Paşa. The price deman-
were suppressed in favour of a unified central authority.
ded for their cooperation was, high, but Ibrahim Pasa
But long before a successful outcome to the war was in
rapidly established himself in early 1825 in the Pelopon-
sight factionalism began to threaten the whole enterpr-
nese and began mercilessly to harry the insurgents.
ise. Power in the new central government was con-
With the military position fast deteriorating, the despe-
tested between rival groups and by 1824 outright civil
rate Greeks looked increasingly to the Great Powers for
war between the feuding factions had broken out. The
help in resolving the crisis. By this stage of the war, the
underlying causes of this factionalism, which was to
Powers, each increasingly fearful lest the other should
manifest itself during later periods of national crisis, are
profit from the continuing conflict, and with their
complex, and during the course of the war political
commercial interests in the region severely affected,
alignments and alliances were in a state of continuous
began to move towards a policy of cautious involve-
flux. The Peloponnesian kocabasis, or local notables,
ment. The Protocol of St Petersburg of 1826 provided
sought to retain the power and privileges that they had
for joint British and Russian mediation in the conflict,
traditionally enjoyed under the Turks, while the kleph-
mediation to which France became a party by the
tic leaders such as Theodoros Kolokotronis were no
Treaty of London of 1827. This policy, described by
less determined that their vital military contribution
Canning, the British prime minister, as one of 'peaceful
should be rewarded with an appropriate share of
interference', was to culminate in the destruction by a
political power. The small group of westernizing
joint British, Russian and French Reer of the Ottoman
intellectuals, while they lacked political and military
and Turco-Egyptian fleets at the Battle of Navarino in
muscle, fought to ensure that Greece was endowed
October 1827. This decisive, if not entirely planned,
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Eclipse and Rebirth
21
'Mrs Greece and her rough lovers', an English caricature of 1828.
Turkey: Down on (your knees and beg my sublime pardon.' Russia:
intermittent hostilities and Capodistrias' efforts to
'Leare that ugly old ruffian and I'll manage your affairs. my pretty
create the basic institutions of a state where none had
dear.' Greece: 'Ob Lord, gentlemen, I'd rather have nothing to say
hitherto existed had met with only partial success. Most
to either of you.' In the background Britain and France quarrel over
problematic of all, the new nation, with its population
the lady. The medal, above right, sees the same situation from the
of some three-quarters of a million, contained scarcely a
opposite point of view. After the Battle of Neocastro, England,
third of the Greeks under Ottoman rule. Virtually all
France and Russia raise an exchausted Greece from the ground.
the great commercial centres of the empire, Smyrna,
Constantinople and Thessalonica, in which Greek
intervention by the Great Powers was to ensure that
merchants had flourished and continued to do so,
some form of independent Grecce was to come into
remained outside its bounds. This had as a consequence
existence, although it was to be several years before the
that, from the beginning, the Megali Idea, or Great Idea,
borders of the new state were fixed and the precise
of uniting all the areas of compact Greek population
terms of its governance and sovereignty settled. In
within the Near East, was to dominate the external and,
1827, a third constitution, again of markedly liberal
to a substantial degree, the internal politics of the new
hue, was enacted at the Assembly of Troezen and Count
state. The Megali Idea in its extreme form, which
Capodistrias, who had resigned from the Russian
envisaged that Constantinople, in the words of the
service in 1822, was elected kyvernitis, or governor, of
popular ballad, would with the passing of time 'once
the liberated territories. He effectively deployed his
again be ours', was never in fact to be achieved,
very considerable diplomatic skills in negotiating the
although for a time in the early 20th century it did not
boundaries of the new state. These ran from Arta in the
appear the fantastic dream it does with hindsight. It was
west to Volos in the east and included a number of the
to be nearly a century before the borders of Greece
Aegean islands nearcst to the mainland. Capodistrias
more or less reached their present extent. Moreover,
was faced, however, with formidable problems in
during the course of the 19th century Greece's irredent-
creating the basic institutions of the state and his refusal
ist objectives, which consistently outstripped the phys-
to be bound by the 1827 constitution, combined with
ical means at her disposal, were to bring her into
his paternalist and authoritarian ways, alienated in-
frequent conflict with the three 'protecting' Powers
fluential groups, including many of those who had been
who had guaranteed the territorial integrity of the new
most active in prosecuting the war. Unrest culminated
state in a treaty, to which Greece was not a party, with
in his assassination in October 1831. Britain, France and
the Ottoman empire in 1832. A pattern was thus
Russia, who had taken upon themselves the role of
established of Great Power interference in the internal
protecting powers, had already decreed that Greece
affairs of Grecce which has existed until the present day.
should be ruled by a European prince and their choice
As Otto had ascended the throne when he was a
lighted on Otto of Wittelsbach, the scventcen-year-old
minor, until 1835 the country was governed on his
son of King Ludwig of Bavaria.
behalf by a three-man Bavarian regency. These regents
showed little understanding of the aspirations of those
The new state: aspirations and problems
Greeks who had actually fought for independence.
The inheritance into which Otto entered in 1833 was
Morcover, they ignored Greek sensitivities by fashion-
not a promising one. The territories of the new state
ing the institutions of the new state on the west
had been ravaged by the best part of a decade of
European model, by importing legal codes and admin-
istrative practices wholesale from the west, and by
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22
of the Revolution
confer with them on the subject of Ali Pasha's intrigues. The Turks
Morea Papaflessas had found that the
still attached more importance to these than to what they knew
anxious to begin a revolution. When how-
about the eteria. What they feared was that Ali might make a bid for
Khursid Pasha, the vali of Peloponnese,
Greek support, and their plan was to hold the leading Greeks of the
join in the campaign against Ali Pasha,
Morea as hostages. Suspecting the worst, the primates of Achaia
beginning a revolt in the Morea were
made excuses for their non-appearance. They wished to gain time:
still the primates were reluctant to move.
they wished to know first what was happening in the north. Mean-
prevail upon them to make preparation.
while Papaflessas and the kapetanei were pressing on with their
January and the early days of February he
with them at Vostitsa. Speaking with
preparations. Towards the end of March a ship arrived in Mani
with ammunition from Smyrna and Aivali, and Nikitas Dikaios, the
he pressed them to take action, saying,
brother of Papaflessas, went to bring it to Poliani where chiefs were
urselves, the Turks will kill you.' But the
information of what was happening in
gathering and recruits were flowing in. Certain chiefs began to force
the issue. Soliotis attacked and killed a party of Turkish tax collec-
their own envoys to Constantinople, to
tors. Another band in the Kalavrita region attacked Greek and
Pisa, to find out what the real strength of
Turkish moneylenders. Only then did the Turks begin to take alarm.
it really had the backing of Russia. They
They promptly seized the bishops and primates who had reported
to Papaflessas that at the very earliest they
to Tripolitsa and they cast them into prison. In vain did these host-
25 March, But the kapetanei had other
ages endeavour to convince the Turks that no Greek plot was in
egin a revolt without delay, taking advant-
existence and that these outbreaks of violence were sheer acts of
There is no evidence that they made plans
volt with a rising in the Principalities. At
banditry.
of what was happening in the north,
without knowledge of the change of plans.
The outbreak of the Revolution
Papaflessas went to his native village of
certain klefts, From there he wrote on
Ipsilantis, on learning from Georgakis Olimpios in January 1821 of
Vladimirescu's revolt and having some intelligence of the campaign
Ismail. Highly indignant at being kept
to know what Ipsilantis was doing. Was
against Ali Pasha, decided to take action as soon as possible. On
5 March 1821, having bribed the Cossack sentries and having
he ship that was waiting for him at Trieste?
possibly come to some understanding with the local Russian
it was dangerous to delay the rising in the
command, he crossed the Pruth from Bessarabia with small forces.
intended for Ipsilantis he pointed out that
In Moldavia others joined him. Altogether he had only 4,500 men.
the secret of the eteria and that if action was
These included Serbs, Bulgarians, Montenegrins, Moldavians, and
then all would be lost. A few days later he
some 700 Greek students who formed the 'Sacred Battalion'-
with other letters which he sent by the hand
There were only four cannon and very few cavalry. He could indeed
Athanasopoulos. When however this agent
count on help from Georgakis Olimpios, who had 1,500 followers
he found that the leading eterists were
in the region of Bucharest, and he still hoped that Viadimirescu
theless Papaflessas and other Moreot eterists
of Mani that the revolution would take
might render assistance. This hope was not fulfilled. Vladimirescu
first wanted to know what the Russians were doing. He visited
would send assistance, and that Ipsilantis
Ipsilantis to find out the truth. But failing to get satisfaction he
bringing bags of gold.
held aloof. Worse still, he passed on information to the Turks.
for the danger to the eteria was not with-
Hence Ipsilantis, instead of getting help from Vladimirescu, had
20 March the Turks ordered the metropolitan
to detach a relatively large force to watch him. Right from the begin-
and the primates to go to Tripolitsa to
57
c
23
Outbreak of the Revolution
ning Ipsilantis's venture was doomed to failure. The projected
rising in Constantinople misfired completely and served only to
provide a pretext for the massacres of the Christians that were soon
to follow. There was no help from Russia. In reply to a letter of
8 March from Ipsilantis imploring Russia to save the Greeks 'from
the horrors of a long and terrible struggle', the Tsar Alexander, who
was then at the Laibach congress and under the influence of Metter-
nich, expressed his sorrow that a man of birth should have stooped
to such shady plots and should have raised among his fellow Greeks
the false hope that they would have the assistance of a great power.
In that same reply the Tsar ordered Ipsilantis to withdraw from
the Principalities immediately: he would not be allowed to return to
Russia; and he must forfeit for ever his Russian rank. This reply had
been drafted by Kapodistrias who was almost in despair and who,
like the Tsar, deplored Ipsilantis's action. It was sent through
Stroganov, the Russian Ambassador at the Porte, who was instruc-
ted to show it to the Turks, In a covering letter Kapodistrias made
it clear that he personally disapproved of the rebellion and he
instructed Stroganov to keep a close eye on the Russian consuls in
the Levant, Before receiving these communications Stroganov had
already informed the Porte that Russia had given no encouragement
to the Greek rebels. He had moreover urged the Patriarch and
the leading fanariots at Constantinople to do their utmost to restrain
the Christian population. This action was hardly necessary: the
Patriarch, who also deplored the turn of events and who was much
concerned for the safety of his flock, had excommunicated
Ipsilantis and had called upon the faithful to maintain their
allegiance to their lawful masters.
Shortly after the outbreak of the revolution in the Principalities
Xanthos sent Stamatios Doukakis to Greece by way of Constan-
tinople with Ictters and proclamations of war for delivery to the
apostles of the eteria in Greece. Doukakis sailed in the ship of
Georgios Prasinos which, leaving Constantinople on 13 March,
arrived in Mani before the end of the month. At long last therefore
the Moreots learned what was happening in the north. On 2 April
Mani rose under Petrobey who advanced with his troops towards
Kalamata, to which town he laid siege, On 9 April, styling himself
commander of the Spartan troops, he issued the following appeal
to the European courts:
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MAR-24-92 TUE 13:00
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24
The outbreak of the Revolution
was doomed to failure. The projected
"The insupportable yoke of Ottoman tyranny hath weighed down
misfired completely and served only to
for above a century the unhappy Greeks of Peloponnesus. So ex-
massacres of the Christians that were soon
cessive had its rigour become, that its fainting victims had scarcely
help from Russia. In reply to a letter of
strength enough left to utter groans. In this state, deprived of all
imploring Russia to save the Greeks "from
our rights, we have unanimously resolved to take up arms against
terrible struggle', the Tsar Alexander, who
our tyrants. All our intestine discord is plunged into oblivion as a
congress and under the influence of Metter-
fruit of oppression, and we breathe the air of liberty. Our bands
that a man of birth should have stooped
having burst their fetters, already signalize themselves against the
should have raised among his fellow Greeks
barbarians. We no longer run about day and night to execute
would have the assistance of a great power.
corvées imposed by a merciless taskmaster. Our mouths are
Tsar ordered Ipsilantis to withdraw from
opened; heretofore silent, or employed only in addressing uscless
supplications to our tormentors, they now celebrate a deliverance
liately: he would not be allowed to return to
which we have sworn to accomplish, or else to perish. We invoke
for ever his Russian rank. This reply had
therefore the aid of all the civilized nations of Europe, that we
istrías who was almost in despair and who,
may the more promptly attain to the goal of a just and sacred
Ipsilantis's action. It was sent through
enterprisc, reconquer our rights, and regenerate our unfortunate
Ambassador at the Porte, who was instruc-
people. Greece, our mother, was the lamp that illuminated you;
In a covering letter Kapodistrias made
on this ground she reckons on your active philanthropy. Arms,
disapproved of the rebellion and he
money, and counsel, are what she expects from you. We promise
keep a close eye on the Russian consuls in
you her lively gratitude, which she will prove by deeds in more
these communications Stroganov had
prosperous times."1
that Russia had given no encouragement
Already on 5 April some 5,000 Greeks had assembled near
had moreover urged the Patriarch and
Kalamata to receive the blessings of the Church; and on the follow-
Constantinople to do their utmost to restrain
ing day, 25 March according to the Julian calendar, the metro-
This action was hardly necessary: the
politan bishop of Patras, Germanos, had raised the flag of revolu-
the turn of events and who was much
tion in the northern Morea at the monastery of Agia Lavra near
of his flock, had excommunicated
Kalavrita, where the primates of Achaia, before taking their final
upon the faithful to maintain their
decision to defy the Turks, had been waiting for news. It is this
masters.
event at Agia Lavra (and not Alexandros Ipsilantis's crossing of
tbreak of the revolution in the Principalities
the Pruth) which by tradition is celebrated as the beginning of the
Doukakis to Greece by way of Constan-
Greek revolution.
proclamations of war for delivery to the
Before long the whole Morea was in arms and no less than 15,000
in Greece. Doukakis sailed in the ship of
out of 40,000 Turks perished. Those who survived sought refuge in
leaving Constantinople on 13 March,
the fortresses. On 16 April the Christian Albanian chiefs of certain
the end of the month. At long last therefore
villages in eastern Greece (the Dervenochoria) rose against the local
hat was happening in the north. On 2 April
Turks. Joined by the peasantry of Boeotia and Attica, they seized
who advanced with his troops towards
the towns of Salona, Livadia and Talanti, and, had they shown
he laid siege. On 9 April, styling himself
more enterprise, they could easily have taken Athens. On 15 April
troops, he issued the following appeal
: This English text is taken from Thomas Gordon, History of the Greek
Revolution, 1832, vol. 1, p. 183.
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Outbreak of the Revolution
the island of Spetses joined the revolution and was followed by that
of Psara on 18 April and by Idra some ten days later. These three
islands were to provide most of the crews and most of the war-
ships which were to play an important part throughout the revolu-
tion. Already the large island of Samos had revolted. In western
Greece, however, the chieftains were slower to move and it was
nearly two months before they took the field. Further to the north
in Epiros the eterists, who were in the midst of strong Turkish forces,
were unable to move at all. Unlike the Souliots they refrained from
joining the forces of Ali Pasha: they preferred to wait and see what
vassal. happened in the struggle between the Sultan and his overmighty
Such then were the immediate origins of the Greek revolution-
a vast conspiracy organized by intellectuals and financed by the
merchant classes, a conspiracy which came to include and which
gave some cohesion to the military classes (the kleftes, the armatoli
and the kapi). Following the Napoleonic wars these military classes
formed a more than usually restless element in the Turkish empire
and, as a résult of the conflict between Ali Pasha and the Sultan,
were given the opportunity to revolt. Once the revolution began
every Greek whether poor or rich became committed. Peasants,
small traders and artisans, monks and parish priests, merchants,
shipowners and sailors, and young intellectuals from the scattered
Greek world all joined the kleftic bands and ships. Almost the whole
nation went sto klari (became brigands), following the traditions of
the klefts, of whose deeds they had been accustomed to sing. The
rich landowners, the 'Christian Turks', who stood to lose SQ much in
case the rising should prove abortive, had necessarily to join in, for
fear that if they remained aloof they would be confounded with the
tyrant. The higher clergy were in a somewhat similar dilemma.
They naturally sympathised with the nationalist and religious feel-
ings of the Greek people in general, but knew that the revolt
might bring hardship and suffering upon them, as indeed it
did to many in Constantinople, Aivali and elsewhere. When news
of the uprising in the Principalities reached the capital, and again
when about the middle of April the news of the massacres of Turks
in the Morca arrived, there was an outbreak of fanaticism among
the Moslems. Among the victims were the Patriarch Grigorios him-
self and several bishops. The Turks seized Grigorios, tried him for
complicity in the Greek rising, found him guilty, executed him, and
left his body to hang as a warning to his flock.
60
Dr. Samuel Gridley Howe, an American
philhellene, assisted the Greeks in their
fight for independence from the Ottoman
Empire. He also founded the Perkins
Institute in Boston, a school for the blind.
The Triple Alliance-Britain, France,
and Russia-gave the Greeks some
assistance and lots of sympathy, but
these countries wanted no war with
Turkey themselves, so they avoided
an open alliance. Individual Americans
came to Greece to help out as private
citizens, but the Greeks needed and
expected official aid from the United
States government. None ever came.
The U.S. Navy stationed ships in the
Mediterranean throughout the war, but
naval personnel never officially went
into action on behalf of the Greeks. In
Greeks. Although they had more suc-
fact, their secret mission was to try to
cess in some years than in others, the
establish trade with Turkey.
Turkish army never finished the job
The U.S. government never changed
before the approach of winter forced
its official position, but the American
them to withdraw again to their bases
public collected a total of eight ship-
in the north.
loads of food and supplies for the
The Greeks established a revolu-
civilian refugees of the war. Other
tionary government early in the war
American individuals served with the
so that they would be prepared to
Greek forces or contributed other
assume power if they were successful
services on a private basis. The Amer-
in driving out the Turks. But once the
icans and other foreigners who devoted
government was established, political
themselves to the cause of Greek liberty
discord arose. The Greek military
during the War for Independence were
leaders fought each other over the
known as philhellenes. They included
location of the government (it moved
such prominent figures as the British
often during these years), who should
poet Lord Byron (who died of an illness
head it, who should be represented in
contracted while he was helping the
it, and how it should be organized.
Greeks).
22
L 29.
Extended Page
JIM SCHAEFER
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Day
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Archbishop
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the event
(supported GB over Onkiki )
200 people, premint Greeks
Andy Athens
Best contact: Alex Father
(Nt. Karloutis hand to IAKOVOS)
(212)570-3570
128
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ISSUE
(including cover sheet)
Archdiocese Fax Number: (212) 861-2183
COMMENTS
DEAR KAthy;
Hir Korl
FR Alex Asked ME to fax the Attached
letter to you.
Thanks, Dina
Any problems with the following transmission please contact the sender
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
March 25, 1991
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT AND ARCHBISHOP IAKAVOS
DURING SIGNING CEREMONY
FOR
GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY PROCLAMATION
The Roosevelt Room
11:26 A.M. EST
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much for the welcome.
Please be seated. It's a great pleasure to see so many friends here
today. Of course, a very special pleasure just now to welcome
Archbishop Iakavos back to the Oval Office. He's been there on
several occasions since I've been President, certainly before, many
times. But it gave me an opportunity to express my respect and
appreciation for him. He's been a wonderful friend and a good
counselor on very important matters.
I
want to salute Ed Derwinski. He's not Greek, but he
was a former member of the Congress. (Laughter and applause.) He's
got a lot of friends in the Greek-American community, I'll tell you.
And I also am delighted to see Ambassador Zaharakis who's here;
another man who's doing a superb job.
And I might say, before we get into the festivities of
the day, that I'm very comfortable and pleased with the relationship
between Greece and the United States. And I have great respect for
Mr. Mitsotakis who is doing a superb job. I hope you will convey
that to him, please, Mr. Ambassador.
But here we are to designate this day again, March 25th,
Greek Independence Day. March 25th marks several turning points in
history. And just as Americans and Greeks share many common values,
we each hold this date in special reverence for the strides we've
made in the name of freedom.
It was in the spring of 1584 that the first colonists set
sail from England in search of new opportunities and independence.
One hundred and seventy years ago, the day of annunciation, 1821, the
Greek banner of revolt was first raised in the successful uprising in
the name of liberty.
The shared significance of this date is more than a
coincidence. It is just one example of the common ideals and values
the people of Greece and America hold so dear: Freedom, democracy,
human rights and justice. And under the current leadership of Prime
Minister Mitsotakis, with whom I had the pleasure of meeting twice
last year, the relationship does, as I said earlier, continue to
flourish. And I hope that he and I will meet soon again.
I'd like to take a moment to thank the people of Greece
for their support and cooperation in this historic coalition effort
to liberate Kuwait from ruthless aggression. The people of Greece
can take great pride in their country's role in protecting the rule
of law.
And so now, after again saying how pleased I am to see so
many friends here today for this occasion, it is my pleasure to put
pen to paper and proclaim Greek Independence Day a national day of
celebration of Greek and American democracy. (Applause.)
MORE
2
(The proclamation is signed.) (Applause.)
ARCHBISHOP IAKAVOS: Mr. President, on behalf of the 3
million strong Greek Orthodox community in the United States, I offer
to you our most humble thanks for signing once again today, the 25th
of March, 1991, after 170 years from the Greek independence -- the
first -- proclamation which calls all of us to uphold the ideals and
values upon which the ancient Greek and the modern American concept
of democracy is founded.
We ask you to accept our warmest reassurance of our
continued commitment to the full support of your historic efforts to
have freedom and justice ultimately prevail, and follow the
foundation for the new world order for which you so arduously labor.
God bless you. This is our prayer -- constant prayer --
Mr. President, and inspired strength to you as you lead the world
towards a state of permanent peace.
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all. (Applause.)
END
11:42 A.M. EST
03/06/91
13:37
12128612183
GREEK ORTHODOX
002
GREEK ORThODOX ARChDIOCESE OF NORTh AND SOUTh AMERICA
EAAHNIKH OP00A0E0C АРХЮПСКОПН BOPEIX Ky NOTI8 AMEPIKHC
TO EAST 79th STREET. NEW YORK, N.Y. 10021
TEL (212) 570-3500
CABLE: ARCHGREEK. NEW YORK
January 28, 1991
President George Bush
The White House
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President;
I join with all God-fearing peoples of the world to thank you and
commend you for championing the causes of peace, justice and democracy.
The citizens of planet earth owe you and our allies in "Desert Shield and
Storm" our full support and appreciation for leading us, through
unavoidable conflict and struggle, to the promise of a new age of hope and
good-will among men. With the courageous, heroic acts of our armed
forces, the strategical genius of our Commander-in-Chief and his key
advisors and undergirded and inspired by the prayers of the faithful, we
cannot, and will not, fail!
At a time when we are fighting on behalf of democracy and since
as you rightly stated that our Nation's life must continue as normal as
possible, I am emboldened to, once again, ask you to receive us at the
White House around March 20th or 21st on the occasion of the 170th
Anniversary of Greek Independence Day. This year the Congress will enact
a resolution designated March 25, 1991, as Greek Independence Day: A
Celebration of Greek and American Democracy. We would like to receive
personally this proclamation and share with you our deep appreciation for
all you do to champion peace, human rights and democracy around the
globe.
Our prayers are with you and our armed forces as you set a
standard of leadership not only for Our Country but all nations as well.
Prayerfully,
Janase
Archbishop of the Greek Orthodox
Church of North and South America
ALdt
03/07/91 11:55
12128612183
GREEK ORTHODOX
001
GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE
OF NORTH AND SOUTH AMERICA MAR 7 All: 03
FASCIMILE COVER SHEET
DATE
MARch 7,1991
NAME
KAthy Rust
FASCIMILE NUMBER
FROM
Fe. Alex
TELEPHONE NUMBER 212.570.3570
Number of pages: 3
(including cover sheet)
Archdiocese Fax Number: (212) 861-2183
COMMENTS
DEAR Kwthy;
Fr. Alex Asked that 7 fax the
Attached to you.
Dina
$991
Any problems with the following transmission please contact the sender
30
4/17/27
30
03/07/91
11:55
12128612183
GREEK ORTHODOX
002
Celebrating Greek and American Democracy
White House
March 22, 1991
Suggested Invitees
His Eminence Archbishop Iakovos
Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church
of North and South America
His Excellency Christos Zacharakis
Ambassador of Greece to the United States
Mr. George Argyros
President, Arnel Development Inc.
Mr. Andrew A. Athens
Chairman, United Hellenic American Congress
President of the Archdiocesan Council
Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate
Mr. John A. Catsimatidis
President & CEO, Red Apple Companies
Member of the Archdiocesan Council
Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate
Mr. Alec P. Courtelis
President, Courtelis Company
Member of the Archdiocesan Council
Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate
Mr. Michael Jaharis Jr.
Member of the Archdiocesan Council
Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate
Rev. Alexander Karloutsos
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of
North and South America
Mr. Tom C. Korologos
President, Timmons & Company
Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate
Mr. Peter T. Kourides, Esq.
Legal Counsel of the Archdiocesan Council
Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate
03/07/91 11:56
12128612183
GREEK ORTHODOX
003
Mr. Andrew E. Manatos
Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate
Mr. John G. Rangos, Sr.
President, Chambers Development Company Inc.
Member of the Archdiocesan Council
Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate
Mr. Alex G. Spanos
President, A.G. Spanos Construction Inc.
Member of the Archdiocesan Council
Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate
Mr. Angelo K. Tsakopoulos
President, AKT Developments Inc.
Member of the Archdiocesan Council
Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate
The Hon. Edward Derwinski
Secretary of Veteran Affairs
The Hon. Paul S. Sarbanes
U.S. Senator of Maryland
The Hon. Michael Bilirakis
U.S. Congressman of Florida
The Hon. George W. Gekas
U.S. Congressman of Pennsylvania
The Hon. Nicholas Mavroules
U.S. Congressman of Massachusetts
The Hon. Olympia Snowe
U.S. Congresswoman of Maine
The Hon. Gus Yatron
U.S. Congressman of Pennsylvania
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
Date:
March 19, 1991
TO:
Sichan/Jim
FROM:
LINDA CASEY
x2533
Jim, this follows up on our conversation
today about the Greek Independence Day
event next Monday.
I've called Mr. Courtelis' office to confirm
that the event is taking place. He was already
aware.
No doubt he will be on the guest list provided
by Archbishop Iakovos; but if on the off-chance
he is not on said list, he definitely should
be invited. His assistant was very clear that
Mr. Courtelis intends to come.
Thanks.
03/20/91
13:42
12128612183
GREEK ORTHODOX
002
Celebrating Greek and American Democracy
Presidential Reception
March 25, 1991
11:30 am
Suggested Invitee List
His Eminence Archbishop Iakovos, Primate*
0
Dr. William Hunter
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of
WN Hunter & Associates
North and South America
2104-A Gallows Road
8-10 East 79 Street
Vienna, VA 22182
New York, NY 10021
(703) 847-9200
(212) 570-3570
Mr. Michael Jaharis Jr.
Mr. Panagiotis Angelopoulos
1040 Fifth Avenue, Apt. 7A
c/o Pierre Hotel
New York, NY 10028
Fifth Avenue @ 61 Street
(212) 472-1333
New York, NY 10021
(212) 838-8000
Rev. Alexander Karloutsos
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese
Mr. Andrew A. Athens
8-10 East 79 Street
United Hellenic American Congress
New York, NY 10021
400 N. Franklin Street, Suite 215
(212) 570-3570
Chicago, IL 60610
(312) 822-9888
0
Mr. Tom C. Korologos
Timmons & Company
Mr. John A. Catsimatidis
1850 K Street, NW - Suite 850
Red Apple Companies
Washington, DC 20006.
823 Eleventh Avenue
(202) 331-1760
New York, NY 10019
(212) 956-5803
Mr. Sotiri K. Kolokotronis
SSK Developments Inc.
Mr. William G. Chirgotis
7700 College Town Drive, Suite 118
William Chirgotis Architecture
Sacramento, CA 95826
37 Mountain Avenue
(916) 386-0114
Springfield, NJ 07081
(201) 376-3200
Mr. Andrew E. Manatos
Manatos & Manatos
Mr. Vaseleos Colevas
1750 New York Avenue, NW - Suite 200
Colevas Group
Washington, DC 20006
PO Box 564
(202) 393-7790
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
(301) 952-2300
Mr. Timothy J. Maniatis
Maniatis Associates
Mr. Alec P. Courtelis
1700 N. Moore Street, #927
Courtelis Company
Arlington, VA 22209
711 Avenue, Suite 1400
(703) 276-8828
Miami, FL 33131-2822
(305) 379-8467
03/20/91
13:43
12128612183
GREEK ORTHODOX
004
Presidential Reception
Monday, March 25, 1991
B-List
Mr. George C. Andreas
o
Mr. Peter Pappas
Lantzsch-Andreas Enterprises, Inc.
Peter Pappas & Sons Tomato Repackers
8545 Leesburg Pike
1401 Okie Street
Vienna, VA 22180
Washington, DC 20002
(703) 448-2222
(202)526-6461
Mr. Philip Christopher
Mr. Kenneth N. Pontikes, Sr.
Andiovox Corporation
Comdisco, Inc.
150 Marcus Boulevard
6111 North River Road
Happuage, NY 11788
Rosemont, IL 60018
(516) 231-7750
(312) 698-3000
Mr. Evangelos Gatzonis
Mr. Dean C. Popps, Esq.
C. Gatzonis Electrical Co.
1360 Beverly Road, Suite 305
23-24 Steinway Street
McLean, VA 22101
Astoria, NY 11105
(703) 734-0159
(718) 626-1275
Mr. Peter Sampras
Mr. Emamuel Fthenakis
6816 Verde Ridge Road
Fairchild Industries Inc.
Rancho Palos Verde, CA 90274
300 W. Service Road, Box 10803
(213) 541-1176
Chantilly, VA 32021
(703) 478-5805
Mr. Ron Seikaly
Miami Heat Basketball
Mr. Alex Karras
721 NW First Avenue
3815 West Drive Avenue
Miami, FL 33136
Burbank, CA 91505
(305) 374-1066
Mr. Harry Magafan
0
Mr. Demetrios Tsintolas
6109 Clearwood Road
Tsintolas Realty Company
Bethesda, MD 20817
3520 Connecticut Avenue, NW
(301) 229-3239
Washington, DC 20008
(202) 362-5400
Mr. James Moshovitis
Marsh Enterprises
Mr. John Spanos
1155 Connecticut Avenue, NW - Suite 400
3303 Clearwood Court
Washington, DC 20036
Falls Church, VA 22042
(202) 429-6513
(804) 534-4478
Mr. Nicholas G. Paleologos
Miller & Long Company Inc.
4824 Rugby Avenue
Bethesda, MD 20814
(301) 657-8000
Tom Korologos
Charles Tsaffaras
John Catsimatidis
Father Alex Karloutsos
IV. PRESS PLAN:
Oval Office:
White House photographer only.
Roosevelt Room:
Pool coverage.
V. SEQUENCE OF EVENTS:
-- Archbishop Iakavos is escorted to the Oval Office and
briefly visits the President.
-- The President and the Archbishop enter the Roosevelt Room
from the Oval Office where other guests are seated.
-- The President makes brief remarks from the podium.
-- The President seated and signs the proclamation.
-- The President thanks the guests and departs.
Talking points provided by NSC -- in the morning.
215165
ALEC P. COURTELIS
701 BRICKELL AVENUE, SUITE 1400
MIAMI, FLORIDA 33131-2822
(305) 379-8467
AC/ER
February 19, 1991
THE CHIEF of STAFF
Mr. John Sununu
Chief of Staff to the President
has seen
The White House
Washington, DC 20500
Dear John:
I attach a copy of a letter that Archbishop Iakovos has
sent to the President requesting a date to personally
receive the proclamation designating March 25, 1991 as
Greek Independence Day: A Celebration of Greek and
American Democracy.
As you may recall, this has been done for the past couple
of years. I would very much appreciate it if the
President could find a little time to have this event
again this year. I know how busy the President is;
however, I feel that, given the new government in Greece
which is quite pro-American, this gesture will go a long
way to continue building and improving our relations with
Greece.
Thank you for your consideration.
With kindest personal regards,
III
Alec Ju P. Courtelis
APC/kes
Enclosure
03/20/91
13:43
12128612183
GREEK ORTHODOX
003
Mr. Nicholas J. Nicholas Jr.
President & Chief Operating Officer
Time, Inc.
1271 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020
(212) 522-3102
Mrs. Dina Oldknow, National President
Ladies Philoptochos Society
1161 Virginia Road
San Marino, CA 91108
(213) 681-5430
Mr. John G. Rangos Sr.
Chambers Develoment Company Inc.
10700 Frankstown Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15235
(412) 244-6120
Mr. James S. Scofield
Supreme President, Order of AHEPA
6100 Sixth Avenue, South
St. Petersburg, FL 33707
(813) 893-8785
Mr. Alexander G. Spanos
AG Spanos Construction Inc.
1341 West Robin Hood Drive
Stockton, CA 95207
(209) 478-7954
Mr. Angelo K. Tsakopoulos
AKT Development Inc.
7700 College Town Drive, Suite 101
Sacramento, CA 95826
(916) 383-2500
Dr. P. Roy Vagelos
Merck & Company
PO Box 2000
Rahway, NJ 07065
(201) 574-4000
His Excellency Christos Zacharakis*
Ambassador of Greece to the USA
2221 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20008
(202) 667-3168
APR/ITH
STATES
1422
GREEK ORThODOX ARChDIOCESE OF NORTh AND SOUTh AMERICA
€AAHNIKH OPOOAOE0C АРХІЄПІСКОПН BOPEIX Ky NOTI8 AMEPIKHC
10 EAST 79th STREET, NEW YORK, N.Y. 10021
TEL (212) 570-3500
CABLE: ARCHGREEK, NEW YORK
January 28, 1991
President George Bush
The White House
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President;
I join with all God-fearing peoples of the world to thank you and
commend you for championing the causes of peace, justice and democracy.
The citizens of planet earth owe you and our allies in "Desert Shield and
Storm" our full support and appreciation for leading us, through
unavoidable conflict and struggle, to the promise of a new age of hope and
good-will among men. With the courageous, heroic acts of our armed
forces, the strategical genius of our Commander-in-Chief and his key
advisors and undergirded and inspired by the prayers of the faithful, we
cannot, and will not, fail!
At a time when we are fighting on behalf of democracy and since
as you rightly stated that our Nation's life must continue as normal as
possible, I am emboldened to, once again, ask you to receive us at the
White House around March 20th or 21st on the occasion of the 170th
Anniversary of Greek Independence Day. This year the Congress will enact
a resolution designated March 25, 1991, as Greek Independence Day: A
Celebration of Greek and American Democracy. We would like to receive
personally this proclamation and share with you our deep appreciation for
all you do to champion peace, human rights and democracy around the
globe.
Our prayers are with you and our armed forces as you set a
standard of leadership not only for our Country but all nations as well.
Prayerfully,
Faxwar
Archbishop of the Greek Orthodox
Church of North and South America
AI:dt
ALEC P. COURTELIS
701 BRICKELL AVENUE, SUITE 1400
MIAMI, FLORIDA 33131-2822
(305) 379-8467
February 19, 1991
Mr. John Sununu
Chief of Staff to the President
The White House
Washington, DC 20500
Dear John:
I attach a copy of a letter that Archbishop Iakovos has
sent to the President requesting a date to personally
receive the proclamation designating March 25, 1991 as
Greek Independence Day: A Celebration of Greek and
American Democracy.
As you may recall, this has been done for the past couple
of years. I would very much appreciate it if the
President could find a little time to have this event
again this year. I know how busy the President is;
however, I feel that, given the new government in Greece
which is quite pro-American, this gesture will go a long
way to continue building and improving our relations with
Greece.
Thank you for your consideration.
With kindest personal regards,
Alec Ju P. Courtelis
APC/kes
Enclosure
bc Father alex
SCHEDULE PROPOSAL
(Sample Format)
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
SCHEDULE PROPOSAL
(Date)
TO:
(Staff Official's Name)
Presidential Appointments and Scheduling
FROM:
(Asst. to President or Office Director)
REQUEST:
(Meeting, briefing, speech, reception, etc.)
PURPOSE:
(Reasons why the President should honor the
request; is it congruent with Administration goals or
themes; what is the desired outcome?.
BACKGROUND:
(Additional Pertinent information)
PREVIOUS
(The President's previous participation with
PARTICIPATION:
this organization or individuals)
DATE AND TIME:
(OPEN if no specific
date is given)
DURATION: (Amount of the President's time
required)
LOCATION:
PARTICIPANTS:
(List attached if more than five)
OUTLINE OF EVENT:
(Including description of the President's
participation)
REMARKS REQUIRED:
(Major speech, keynote, brief remarks, etc.)
MEDIA COVERAGE:
(Type of media, photo coverage if any)
RECOMMENDED BY:
OPPOSED BY:
- 35 -
06/10/90
STATE DEPARTMENT
Mr. George C. Andreas
Chairman of the Board and CEO
Lantzch-Andreas Enterprises Inc.
8545 Leesburg Pike
Vienna, VA 22180
(703) 448-2222
Mr. George L. Argyros, President
Arnel Development Company
950 S. Coast Drive, Suite 200
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714) 241-4900
Mr. Andrew A. Athens, Chairman
United Hellenic American Congress
400 N. Franklin Street, Suite 400
Chicago, IL 60610
(312) 822-9888
Mr. John Catsimatidis, President
Red Apple Companies
823 Eleventh Avenue, 3/F
New York, NY 10019
(212) 956-5803
Mr. George C. Chimples
Chairman of the Board
Amac Enterprises Inc.
5909 West 130 Street
Parma, OH 44130
(216) 362-1880
Mr. William G. Chirgotis, Owner
William G. Chirgotis Architecture
37 Mountain Avenue
Springfield, NJ 07081
(201) 376-3200
Mr. Vaseleos Colevas
PO Box 564
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
Contact: Dean Popps
(703) 734-0159
Mr. Alec P. Courtelis, President
Courtelis Company
701 Brickell Avenue, Suite 1400
Miami, FL 33131
(305) 379-8467
06/04/90
17:42
C12128612183
GREEK ORTHODOX
003
PAGE 2
Mr. Peter M. Dion, President
Yarmuth-Dion Inc.
345 Seventh Avenue
New York, NY 10001
(212) 563-3066
Mr. Emanuel Fthenakis
Chairman of the Board
Fairchild Industries Inc.
300 W. Service Road, Box 10803
Chantilly, VA 22021
(703) 478-5805
Mr. Michael Jaharis, Jr., President
Kos Pharmaceuticals Inc.
801 Brickell Avenue, Suite 1006
Miami, FL 33131
(305) 577-3464
Mr. George P. Kokalis, President
Apollo Investment Corp.
3168 E. Berridge Lane
Phoenix, AZ 85016
(602) 954-8833
Mr. Tom C. Korologos, President
Timmons & Company
1850 K Street, NW - Suite 850
Washington, DC 20006
(202) 331-1760
Mr. Peter T. Kourides, Esq.
Seward, Raphael & Kourides
110 East 59 Street, 29/F
New York, NY 10022
Mr. Nicholas Paleologos
Executive Vice President
Miller & Long Company Inc.
4824 Rugby Avenue
Bethesda, MD 20814
(301) 657-8000
Mr. Peter G. Pappas, President
Peter Pappas & Sons Tomato Repackers
1401 Okie Street, NW
Washington, DC 20002
(202) 526-6461
06/04/90
17:42
012128612183
GREEK ORTHODOX
PAGE 3
Mr. John A. Payiavlas, President
Automatic Vendors Inc.
2590 Elm Road, NE
Warren, OH 44403
(216) 372-6000
Mr. Theodore O. Prounis, Esq.
Theodore O. Prounis, PC
777 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10017
Mr. John G. Rangos Sr., President
Chambers Development Company Inc.
10700 Frankstown Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15235
(412) 244-6120
Mr. Peter E. Senopoulos
Gallagher & Gallagher
One Constitution Plaza
Boston, MA 02129
(617) 241-8800
Mr. Alexander G. Spanos
Chairman of the Board
A.G. Spanos Construction Inc.
1341 West Robin Hood Drive
Stockton, CA 95207
(209) 478-7954
Mr. Alex Stamatakis
419 Sheridan Road
Winnetka, IL 60093
(312) 446-8490
Mr. Gus Stavropoulos, President
Wolverine Carbide Company
2613 Industrial Row
Troy, MI 48084
(313) 280-0300
Mr. John P. Trebellas, President
Pepsi-Cola Champaign/Urbana
1306 Anthony Drive
Champaign, IL 61820
(217) 352-4126
Mr. Angelo K. Tsakopoulos, President
AKT Development Inc.
7700 College Town Drive, Suite 101
Sacramento, CA 95826
(916) 383-2500
АРХ/ПН
file
1424
GREEK ORThODOX ARChDIOCESE OF NORTh AND SOUTh AMERICA
€AAHNIKH OPOOAOEOC АРХІЄПІСКОПН BOPEIX Ky NOTI8 AMEPIKHC
10 EAST 79th STREET, NEW YORK, N.Y. 10021
TEL (212) 570-3500
CABLE: ARCHGREEK, NEW YORK
July 15, 1991
Mr. and Mrs. Sichan A. Siv
Deputy Assistant to the President
The White House
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Siv:
We take great pleasure in announcing that the annual observance honoring our
beloved spiritual leader, His Eminence Archbishop Iakovos on the occasion of his
Nameday, will be given this year at a 2:00 pm Luncheon on Sunday, October 13th at
New York City's Waldorf-Astoria Hotel (Park Avenue between 49 and 50 Streets).
This year's celebration will highlight His Eminence's 80th Birthday as over 1500
faithful and friends will gather to pay tribute to our Archpastor who is recognized as the
dean of America's religious leaders and the leading Orthodox prelate in the Western
Hemisphere. As Primate of over three million Greek Orthodox, he has worked
indefatigably for over 32 years to bring greater vitality and unity to the Church,
championing human and civil rights, initiating reforms and advancing the frontiers of
Eastern Orthodoxy.
We would be deeply honored if you would accept our invitation to be our honored
guests at the Testimonial Luncheon. Your participation in his birthday celebration, would,
we believe, most properly reflect the ideals and purposes of our efforts and your can rest
assured that His Eminence will be quite moved to have you share in this most auspicious
day. The Luncheon will be preceded by a VIP Reception in the West Foyar at 1:00 pm.
I have asked Father Alexander Karloutsos to call your office to confirm, hopefully,
your acceptance.
Faithfully,
+ Metropopletan Jilas
+SILAS
Metropolitan of New Jersey
dt
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
March 25, 1991
The President today signed the following legislation:
S.J. Res. 59, which designates March 25, 1991, as "Greek
Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration of Greek and
American Democracy.
# # #
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
March 25, 1991
GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY: A NATIONAL DAY OF
CELEBRATION OF GREEK AND AMERICAN DEMOCRACY, 1991
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
The peoples of the United States and Greece enjoy a rich
friendship based on strong ties of kinship and culture -- ties
fortified by our common devotion to the ideals of freedom and
democracy. Our shared values and mutual interests make the
celebration of Greek independence on March 25 a significant
event for all Americans.
Although we celebrate on this occasion events that took
place just 170 years ago, the values shared by the peoples of
Greece and the United States are rooted far deeper in history.
Indeed, it was the ancient Greeks who, with their profound
observations of human nature and their seminal experiments
in civil order and justice, enkindled the light of democratic
thought among men. Our Nation's Founders were well-schooled
in classical languages and Greek literature, and the ideas
of Solon, Plato, Aristotle, and other Greek philosophers and
statesmen greatly influenced their own. Indeed, in his historic
treatise on the Rights of Man, Thomas Paine wrote: "What Athens
was in miniature, America will be in magnitude. The one was
the wonder of the ancient world; the other is becoming the
admiration and model of the present." His words reflect the
inspiration and insight that this Nation's Founders derived from
the ancient Greek city-states as they worked to establish an
enduring representative democracy in America.
Widely regarded as the "cradle of democracy," Greece stands
today as a strong ally of the United States, aligned with us by
its commitment to freedom and human rights. As partners in the
NATO Alliance, we have worked together to defend democratic
ideals and to promote the collective security of Europe.
Recently Greece also cooperated with the United States and
other nations in the historic coalition effort to uphold the
rule of law and to liberate Kuwait from ruthless aggression.
The people of Greece can take pride in their country's role in
this endeavor, carried out in enforcement of resolutions of the
United Nations Security Council.
Today, as we join in commemorating the 170th anniversary
of Greek independence, we celebrate the continued friendship
between the Greek and American peoples. We also give thanks,
knowing that the light of democratic ideals continues to grow
in strength and brilliance around the world.
more
(OVER)
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
March 25, 1991
Dear Friend,
Please find enclosed materials pertaining to the President's
proclamation signing ceremony honoring the 170th anniversary of
Greek independence.
If you have any questions or if we can provide any additional
information please call Jim Schaefer or myself at (202) 456-
7120.
Sincerely,
Sichan Siv
Deputy Assistant to the President
Office of Public Liaison
Enclosures
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
March 25, 1991
Dear Friend,
Please find enclosed materials pertaining to the President's
proclamation signing ceremony honoring the 170th anniversary of
Greek independence.
If you have any questions or if we can provide any additional
information please call Jim Schaefer or myself at (202) 456-
7120.
Sincerely,
trento
Sichan Siv
Deputy Assistant to the President
Office of Public Liaison
Enclosures
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
March 25, 1991
The President today signed the following legislation:
S. J. Res. 59, which designates March 25, 1991, as "Greek
Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration of Greek and
American Democracy."
# # #
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
THE
KIND
IIIIIIII
name
Name
1211
FACSIMILE TRANSMITTAL SHEET
DATE 5-25-91
TO Father Alex
FAX NUMBER 785-1255
OFFICE NUMBER
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS
FROM
Jim Schaefer
COMMENTS These would have gotten
to you too late Via messinger
Faxing, was the best solution.
Best wishes.
OFFICE NUMBER
202-456-7120
Also:
Mr. Spiro Skouras
High Pastures
364 East Middle Patent Road
Greenwich, Connecticut
06831
(203) 322-0222
Per Fred Zeder of OPIC, he is
a big supporter, and the President
has met him.
Thanks
DEAB.
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
March 25, 1992
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
IN CEREMONY FOR GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY
The Rose Garden
11:18 A.M. EST
THE PRESIDENT: Welcome to the Rose Garden on this
beautiful day. We're so pleased to have you all here. Thank you for
the welcome for His Eminence and me, and it's a pleasure to welcome
you -- many of you, most of you -- back to the White House.
First, may I pay my most sincere respects to Archbishop
Iakovos, a true spiritual leader for whom we have enormous respect.
And I'm just delighted that he's here with us today. (Applause.)
And I want to thank our Cabinet Minister Ed Derwinski, who is so
well-known in Greece and Ambassador Zacharakis who is here, and also
our congressional contingent, Mike Bilirakis, over here; George Gekas
was to be here, but he may have been kept away by work. And, of
course, Senator Arlen Specter is with us today.
I would like to welcome Mr. Angelopoulos from Athens,
who presented me this commemorative medal in the Oval Office just a
minute ago. We are delighted you are here, sir. (Applause.) This
Greek American -- this Greek Independence Day -- I say Greek American
day because Americans of Greek heritage celebrate it -- it's a
wonderful day for the Greek American community and for all of us who
cherish freedom.
Greece can never be just another country to the United
States; and the U.S. and Greece are the firmest of friends, the
strongest of allies. And I might take this opportunity to salute
Prime Minister Mitsotakis, with whom I have a very cordial
relationship -- most cooperative relationship. I talked to him just
the other day on the phone.
We are committed to maintaining the close cooperation
that has developed with his government, and we will continue to serve
as a catalyst in the U.N. Secretary General's effort to negotiate a
fair and a permanent settlement to the Cyprus issue. (Applause.)
In our view, there is one Cyprus, and we are going to continue to
heal the division that scars this lovely island. (Applause.)
Now, we have consistently made clear our view that the
time has come to settle this question, and I am going to continue to
give it my personal attention. We're also sensitive to Greek
concerns about the breakup of Yugoslavia, and I've been in touch
again, I mentioned, with my dear friend, Prime Minister Mitsotakis
about this highly sensitive issue. And as his government works
towards a solution to this, it can be assured of our support.
Neither Greece nor America is a stranger to the struggle
for freedom. And as allies in NATO we've worked in common cause to
preserve the peace. Today we remember that our ideals and values
have been preserved at high cost; the valor and sacrifice of our
nations' finest young men and women. Greek heritage is, in so many
respects, American heritage. And I'm deeply moved to realize how
important it is to interpret for future generations the significance
of our independence days.
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We must not forget, and we cannot let our children
forget, lest the struggle be repeated. And so we celebrate these
anniversaries of freedom, and we tell the old stories in order to
preserve that which we value so highly. This morning I want to
commend the Greek American community for the way you've preserved
your traditions. The Greek American culture continues to provide a
model for greatness. I can cite many examples, but I want to
particularly commend the value that this wonderful community places
on family and on tradition.
Through your commitment to strong families, those great
traditions have endured, and your culture has thrived in this new
land. These values, the ones that we pass along from one generation
to the next, are the greatest of all legacies. But these are not
just a comfortable luxury. They are a vital part of the social
capital that a nation must possess if it's to be great; but more
significantly, if it's to be good.
Today, as we join with you to commemorate the 171st
anniversary of Greek independence, we also celebrate Archbishop
Iakovos's 33rd year as Archbishop of the Americas. (Applause.)
As His Eminence was at the forefront of the march for civil rights,
now the Greek American family is at the forefront in the modeling for
today's generation those enduring personal and family values that are
the necessary underpinning for continued democracy and freedom.
I still remember Archbishop Iakovos's benediction at our
convention in 1988, and he prayed in a nonpartisan way, I want to say
-- (laughter) -- but he prayed that we would and here was the
words: "Carry, renew and redefine the legacy and mandate to keep
this nation under God in an unending quest for unity, justice, moral
integrity and spiritual alertness and readiness."
On this Greek Independence Day let that be the prayer
and the challenge to us all.
And now it is my real pleasure to put pen to paper and
proclaim Greek Independence Day a national day of celebration of
Greek and American democracy. (Applause.)
(The document is signed.) (Applause.)
ARCHBISHOP IAKOVOS: Mr. President, on behalf on all of
us present and those absent, I would like to express to you our most
sincere gratitude, for you have been always a champion for democracy,
democratic values and principles.
I am particularly moved today because you remembered my
33rd year of service to the Greek American community and to America
as well, for I am very proud to have been a Hellene, but also an
American citizen.
I would like to assure you that your challenge today,
that we continue in a democratic way, it has been described deep in
our hearts by our parents and the mandate of our history, both the
American the Hellenic history. If there is any spot without any
stain of blood on this old planet of ours, it is the heart and souls
of men and women, who are Americans and Hellenes. And I can assure
you, Mr. President, that we shall hold that heritage very dear to our
hearts and very sacred for as long as we live.
Thank you, once again, on behalf of all of us, Mr.
President.
END
11:27 A.M. EST