Rigas Feraios: On the Trail of the Protomartyr of Greek Independence

Rigas Feraios and his statue in Belgrade
Rigas Feraios was the protomartyr of Greek Independence.Credit: (Left image) Public Domain. (Right image) Alex Billinis.

Rigas Feraios was a Greek revolutionary who fought in the mountains and worked as a writer, merchant, and revolutionary agitator in the wide Balkan Diaspora forming in the states neighboring the Ottoman Empire. He had done it all.

Like so many Greek kids in the diaspora, I attended Greek School for a while. The March 25th Celebration always entailed a few kids in Foustanellas and Amalias and the obligatory poem.

On the shortlist was always the “Thourios Ymnos” of Rigas Feraios, in which he wrote that “one hour of freedom is better than forty years of slavery,” stirring words – and Feraios wrote many.

I always had a fondness for Feraios, a man of both letters and action. One who was both radical and tolerant, wishing to replace the sultan’s tyranny with a restored Byzantine “Republic” that would have a place for all of its ethnicities, including the Turks.

Following Rigas Feraios’ footsteps

As it happens, my travels and life experiences allowed me to follow in his geographical footsteps.

In the mid-2000s, we lived in Greece, and many a time, driving towards Thessaloniki, or further north to my wife’s Serbian hometown, we would pass the village of Velestino, the town in Thessaly where Feraios (also known as Velestinlis) was born.

Like many people in the region, he was bilingual in Vlach (a dialect similar to Romanian) and Greek.

Multilingualism was common in the Ottoman Empire of the time, but he most definitely identified as a Romios, namely a Greek-speaking Orthodox (Byzantine) subject of the Ottoman Empire. Serbs also count him as a Balkan hero.

Traveling further north into Serbia, we traced the overland route trod by so many merchants from Thessaly and Macedonia towards the markets of the Austrian Empire, which in Feraios’ time began just across the Danube and Sava Rivers from Belgrade.

Feraios becomes a publisher in Vienna

Like so many talented Greeks at the time, particularly those from Thessaly and Macedonia, Feraios gravitated towards the Greek communities established in the Austrian Empire.

After years of warfare, as the Austrians pushed the Turks back to the Danube and Sava Rivers, Greek and Serbian merchants and settlers poured into the Austrian Empire, including to Vojvodina Province, where we once lived.

Though Greeks and Serbs were established in communities throughout the Empire, Feraios settled in the capital, Vienna, in 1793.

His interests went far beyond the commercial. He had cut his teeth with klephts in the mountains as a youth, and he believed in putting his talent for words into action.

Once established in Vienna, he quickly threw himself into publishing with the support of many in the wealthy Greek mercantile community there.

We should remember that Greek newspapers appeared in print for the first time in Vienna, and Feraios was one of the first newspaper editors.

The paper still exists and is published in the city of Siatista, Macedonia, Greece.

Feraios also published his vision of a “Map of Great Greece,” incorporating much of the Balkans and Asia Minor, a copy of which I found prominently displayed on the walls of the Greek Community Center in Budapest, Hungary.

While visiting Vienna in 2010, I managed to retrace my steps as a student over twenty years earlier to find Vienna’s Greichenviertel (Greek Quarter).

Not far from the Greek Orthodox Cathedral—a beautiful structure with a late eighteenth-century façade—I found the yellow baroque building where Feraios edited his newspaper, Efimeris.

Plaques commemorates his work there, and on another Greek Church nearby on Greichengasse (Greek Lane).

In a real sense, in addition to being the first martyr, or “protomartyras,” of the modern Greek nation, he is a founder of the modern Greek press.

Within the Church compound, the Vienna Greek School was in session when we visited.

Founded in 1804, it is older than the modern Greek state itself, and students no doubt studied many of the same poems I had. Their author penned many of his stirring works just steps away from their school.

I felt a chill run up my spine from the presence and proximity of history.

Feraios a threat to Austria

While Vienna and the Austrian regime of his time provided many opportunities for the Greek community, authorities were extremely hostile to any and all revolutionary activity.

Feraios wanted to overthrow the Ottoman Empire and restructure it as a “Greek” republic, but with full rights for all nationalities, including the Turks.

This goal posed not only a threat to the Ottoman Empire but to the Austrians’ own multiethnic monarchy.

At the time, the consequences of the French Revolution were still being felt throughout Europe, and its supporters and adherents were actively looking to export its ideology.

In Feraios, the French Revolution had an avid admirer who sought to implement its ideals within the political reality of the Balkans. Accordingly, Feraios set out for Trieste in 1797.

Feraios moves over the Alps

Over the Alps from Vienna, there is another lovely former Austro-Hungarian city, the Italian port of Trieste, which was once Austria’s key maritime outlet.

Like Vienna, it also had a very active and influential Greek community. On our family’s visit there in 2011, while enjoying the city and taking in its Greek and Serbian churches and monuments, we once again found we were following in Feraios’ footsteps.

Taking coffee one lovely May morning in the Caffé Degli Specchi, a Triestine landmark café founded nearly two centuries ago by Greeks, I sat with Archimandrite Gregory, the current Greek priest there, who is an urbane, learned, and pious man.

I mentioned to him how much I loved the city’s café culture; cafés have always been the center of Triestine commerce, culture, and conspiracies.

Apparently, outside one famous Trieste café, the Caffé Tomasso which we had visited the day before, “our own Rigas Feraios was arrested by the Austrian secret police,” Archimandrite Gregory told me while sipping his espresso.

Again, serendipitously, we had traced Feraios’ footsteps.

In both Vienna and Trieste, we had met up with Feraios by accident. Yet later, in Belgrade, we met again—this time by design.

Rigas Feraios moves to the frontier of the Ottoman Empire

Belgrade today is a bustling and sophisticated if somewhat chaotic European capital, straddling both sides of the Sava and Danube Rivers.  For centuries, Belgrade served as the first frontier fortress of the Ottoman Empire.

Having apprehended Feraios, the Austrians dispatched him, along with his co-conspirators, across the Danube to Belgrade, where the Turks eagerly awaited him.

After a sufficient round of tortures in June of 1798, Feraios and his comrades were strangled and their corpses flung into the Danube.

At the foot of Belgrade’s majestic Kalemegdan Fortress, there lies a Turkish-era structure known locally as Nebojsina Kule (Nebojsa’s Tower).

Nebojsa’s Tower is just steps from the Sava’s confluence to the Danube River, the site of Feraios’ watery grave.  The main complex of Kalemegdan fortress rises steeply from the tower.

Rigas Feraios
The Rigas Feraios statue in Belgrade. Credit: Alex Billinis

Just off the road and tramway ringing Kalemegdan, a statue stands at a fork in the road. It is of Feraios, called Riga od Fere by the Serbs.

His name is inscribed in both Greek and Cyrillic Serbian along with a short inscription, namely “Grcki i srpski narod” (Greek and Serbian nation).

As he was carried off to strangulation, he proclaimed, “I have sown a rich seed which others will reap.”

Though a new Byzantium was not to be, the fruits of this seed are the modern Greek and Serbian states.

The Top Archaeological Sites You Absolutely Must See in Greece

Athenian Agora.
The Athenian Agora. Credit: Wikipedia/Sharon MollerusCC-BY-2.0

With Greece’s rich and expansive history, it comes as no surprise that the country is adorned with countless archaeological wonders awaiting exploration. Yet, amidst this wealth of historical sites, here are the top must-visit Greek archaeological marvels that should not be missed on your tour!

Of course, everyone knows the popular tourist attractions, such as the Acropolis and Delphi, but there is much more waiting for you in Greece (and, of course, they are included in our list)!

Top 20 archaeological sites that you don’t want to miss out on

1. The Acropolis, Athens

memory palace ancient greek memory greece
The Parthenon. Credit: Gary Bembridge/Wikimedia Commons/CC-BY-2.0

The Acropolis is a world-renowned historical site and is actually an ancient citadel. Located on a hilltop overlooking the city of Athens, it contains the remains of several ancient buildings of immense architectural and historic significance, such as the Erechtheion temple, the Propylaia entrance, and the temple of Athena Nike.

Of course, the most famous building of all atop the Acropolis is the Parthenon. This Doric temple, dedicated to the goddess Athena, is something that everyone simply must see and experience in person at least once in their lifetime!

2. The ancient Temple of Apollo Epicurius, Bassae

Temple of Epikourios Apollon
Ancient Temple of Epikourios Apollon, Bassae. Credit: Credit: egonwegh/CC BY-NC 2.0

Another archaeological site that one should definitely include on his or her itinerary is the ancient temple located in Oichalia, a town in the northeastern part of Messenia. It is especially important because the building is amazingly well-preserved which is not always the case when speaking of buildings constructed almost 2,500 years ago. It served as the Temple of Apollo Epicurius and dates back to the mid-to-late 5th century BC.

3. Delphi, Central Greece

ancient greek earthquakes
The Tholos at Delphi, Greece. Credit: Tamara Semina/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 3.0

Near the beautiful resort town of Arachova on the slopes of Mt. Parnassus, one must, of course, visit the sprawling archaeological site of Delphi on any trip to Greece. Considered to be one of the most stunning archaeological sites in the entire world, you will need at least three hours to explore the ancient shrine of Delphi and the excellent archaeological museum on the premises, which houses the original bronze bull and many statues from the time when it served as the most important religious site in Greece.

Since the site is so large and there is so much to see, you should buy an all-day entrance ticket to Delphi.

4. Delos

Ancient Greek
The ancient Greek theater on Delos. Credit: Bernard Gagnon/ Wikimedia Commons/ CC BY-SA 3.0

You can see Delos from the shores of Mykonos and the beauty of the island and its surroundings inspire all who visit. It is one of the most important mythological, historical, and archaeological sites in all of Greece.

There have been extensive archaeological excavations on the island, revealing ruins that tell tales of Delos as a holy sanctuary, dating back to over a millennium before Greek mythology named it as the birthplace of the Greek gods Apollo (the God of Light) and his twin sister, Artemis (the Goddess of Hunting).

Ruins of ancient stone huts on Delos date back to the 3rd millennium BC, and from 900 BC to 100 AD the island served as a religious center. Eventually, it became a site of religious pilgrimage for Ionians after they underwent a number of “purifications” at the command of the city-state of Athens around the 6th century BC.

5. Ancient and Medieval Rhodes

Rhodes Castle.
Rhodes Castle. Credit: Wikipedia/Grb16/CC-BY-SA-4.0

The Greek island of Rhodes is home to a variety of important archaeological sites. Here, you will find the ancient city of Kamiros, which had a three-storied acropolis that overlooked the city. The area was also once inhabited by Mycenaean Greeks during the prehistoric period while the ancient city itself was founded by the Dorians. Other must-see sites on the island are the Grand Master’s Palace and Monolithos Castle.

The Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes is known as the primary historical and architectural landmark of the medieval city of Rhodes. Its Gothic style of architecture is very rare in Greece, and this will be one of the few examples of this type of structure that you will see in the entire country.

Originally built in the late 7th century as a Byzantine citadel, in 1309 it became the seat of the Knights Hospitallers when they occupied Rhodes, and they used the fortress as the palace of their Grand Master and administrative center.

On the outskirts of the village of Monolithos is the ancient medieval castle built in 1480 by the order of the Knights of Saint John. The castle was constructed to protect the island from attacks, and was never breached, probably due to its location atop a huge cliff that towers 100 meters high.

6. Mystras, Peloponnese

Mystras old town ruins.
Mystras old town ruins. Credit: Wikipedia/Peulle/CC-BY-SA-4.0

Known as Myzithras in the “Chronicle of the Morea,” Mystras is a fortified ancient Byzantine city. Located in Laconia on Mt. Taygetos near Sparta, back in the 14th and 15th centuries, the city flourished as the capital of the Byzantine Despotate of the Morea. In the year 1242, the young Prince William II of Villehardouin built the now-famous fortress known as Mystras.

7. Olympia, Peloponnese

Ancient Olympia virtual tour
Ruins of the ancient Temple of Hera at Olympia. Credit: Ingo Mehling/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 3.0

Located on the Peloponnesian peninsula in Greece, Olympia was historically a popular destination for people from all across the Greek world. Its Temple was primarily dedicated to Zeus, but there are over seventy other temples, treasuries, altars, statues, and other structures in the area, including the Temple of Hera, or Heraion, which was dedicated to the goddess of that name. This site has so many ruins you will definitely need a great deal of time to explore.

Be sure to take a few moments to also walk to the Philippeion in the Altis of Olympia. This circular memorial in limestone and marble has been somewhat reconstructed but is well worth a visit. It was the only structure inside of the Altis dedicated to a human rather than a god.

8. Paleochristian and Byzantine Monuments, Thessaloniki

Walls of Thessaloniki
Walls of Thessaloniki. Credit: Wikipedia/BadComments/CC-BY-SA-4.0

The city of Thessaloniki, the second-most influential city in the Byzantine Empire, also played a significant role in Christianity during the Middle Ages. Here, you will find dozens of important archaeological sites, including fifteen of which have been listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

From the Walls of Thessaloniki—built during the 4th and 5th centuries, with parts that date back to the late 3rd century BC—to the famed White Tower and the 14th century Byzantine Baths, one of the best preserved baths in the country from that time period, there is so much to see!

9. Mycenae, Peloponnese

Bronze age collapse
Lion’s Gate, Mycenae. The Mycenaean civilization was destroyed during a Bronze Age collapse. Credit: Andreas Trepte/CC-BY-SA-2.5

This incomparable archaeological site, located near Mykines in Argolis, is home to The Lions Gate at Mycenae, which is the only known monumental sculpture from Bronze Age Greece! The settlement was built on a sloping hill rising 900 feet above sea level.

During the second millenium BC, this ancient site was the scene of one of the major centers of Greek civilization, said to have had over 30,000 residents at its peak of population and prosperity. The settlement still displays faint traces of evidence of Neolithic roots, and its ruins demonstrate how the city survived and thrived throughout the centuries.

Be sure to check out the Treasury of Atreus or the spectacular Tomb of Agamemnon while visiting Mycenae.

10. Meteora, Central Greece

Monastery
Monastery of Agiou Nikolaou. Credit: Bgabel/CC BY-SA 3.0

Meteora is the second largest monastic and pilgrimage site in Greece after Mount Athos. Its towering cliffs were the perfect place for the monks to take refuge from the invading Turkish army around the 11th century.

Here, you will find several breathtaking monasteries that still remain some 400 meters (1,312 feet) above the ground, including perhaps the most impressive monastery in the world, the Holy Monastery of the Transfiguration of Jesus, better known as Great Meteoron.

11. Knossos, Crete

Knossos family vacation crete
The palace at Knossos. Credit: Gary Bembridge/Wikimedia/CC BY 2.0

Knossos, the capital of the Minoan civilization, was incredibly wealthy and influential in its heyday. As Europe’s oldest city, it ruled over a massive maritime trade empire during the Bronze Age. The ruins of its magnificent palace spread out over 20,000 square meters on the hill of Kefalas, and the city is the setting for many well-known myths, such as the Labyrinth with the Minotaur, as well as Daedalus and Icarus.

12. Ancient city of Corinth

Temple of Apollo, Archaeological Site
Ancient Temple of Apollo, built ca. 540 BC, Corinth, Greece. Credit: Following Hadrian/CC BY-SA 2.0

This sacred destination is only 50 miles west of Athens, so be sure to make arrangements to check it out while on vacation. This ancient city had inhabitants dating back as far as the Neolithic period, from 5,000-3,000 BC. For thousands of years, until the Romans destroyed it in 146 BC, it remained a major Greek city.

Things to note in this ancient city are the Temple of Aphrodite, the Temple of Apollo and the Roman forum, as well as the sacred spring, which is located along the northern edge of the forum, near the Lechaion Road.

13. Epidavros, Argos, Nafplio, and Tiryns  in the Peloponnese –  so much to see, so close together!

Epidavros ancient Greek theater, Archaeological Site
The ancient Greek theater of Epidavros, or Epidaurus. Credit: Wikipedia/Kritheus/CC-BY-SA-4.0

In Epidavros (Epidaurus) you will find ancient ruins and an impressive ancient Greek theater, one of the best preserved ancient theaters in the entire world! Epidavros is a must-see on any trip through the Peloponnese, and during the summer months there are weekend shows at the ancient theater there that attract thousands of spectators from all around the world.

Be sure to check out the Sanctuary of Asklepios in Epidavros as well, an ancient religious site thought to be the rival of such major cult sites as the Sanctuary of Zeus at Olympia and Apollo at Delphi.

Argos is considered to be the town in Europe with the longest continual habitation. It is dotted with ancient ruins of citadels and theaters. An intriguing theory, which may very well be true, is that Argos was the center of the Mycenaean empire which ruled over Greece from 1,600 to 1,100 BC.

The first capital city of modern Greece was Nafplio and even day you can see the ruins of its fortress high up on the mountainside, overlooking the town. You can visit the ruins and not only experience history, but also get a bird’s-eye view of the stunning Neo-classical port city below!

Tiryns, the Mycenaean archaeological site in Argolis is also not to be missed by anyone who appreciates history. This is where Heracles (Hercules) is said to have performed his Twelve Labors. Although it is widely considered to date back to the Bronze Age, the hill fort has recorded occupation ranging back seven thousand years before the beginning of the Bronze Age! An ancient legend holds that the massive walls that surround it were built by the Cyclops himself.

14.The ancient city of Aigai, near Vergina

Philip Macedon Tomb Vergina
Philip of Macedon’s tomb. Credit: Public Domain

Aigai, the first capital of the Kingdom of Macedonia, was amazingly only discovered in the 19th century. This ancient city, which is now called Vergina, was home to the family of Philip II and Alexander the Great. While there you can see ruins of the theatre, the sanctuaries of Eukleia and the Mother of the Gods, the city walls, and the royal burial grounds, containing more than 500 tumuli, dating from the 11th to the 2nd century BC.

15. The archaeological site of Sparta

Ancient Theatre Sparta, Archaeological Site
Ancient Theatre in Sparta. Credit: Wikimedia/Κούμαρης Νικόλαος/CC-BY-4.0

In 650 BC, the city-state of Sparta was home to the dominant military force of all ancient Greece. It is believed to have first been inhabited in the Middle Neolithic period due to some pottery discovered in the vicinity of Kouphovouno, around 1.2 miles from Sparta. Excavations begun at the site in 1906 revealed many structures and a glimpse into the life of the ancient city-state.

16. The Athenian Agora

Athenian Agora. Archaeological Site
Athenian Agora. Credit: Wikipedia/Sharon MollerusCC-BY-2.0

As you are walking around modern-day Athens, remember that you are actually walking on layer upon layer of ancient history. You won’t ever be able to forget this concept after visiting the Athenian Agora, where you can see how everyday life once was in Athens during ancient times.

The Agora, meaning “marketplace,” includes the city’s arsenal, the Tholo, and numerous stoas where merchants could sell their goods. Excavations from 1934 onward have revealed more than thirty known major buildings inside the ancient Athenian Agora, and thousands of artifacts.

17. Ancient Temple of Poseidon – Cape Sounion

Temple of Poseidon situated at Cape Sunio. Archaeological Site
The Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounio.Credit: mendhak/CC BY-SA 2.0

This majestic temple was first constructed from 444–440 BC. The temple, dedicated to the god Poseidon, was actually built on top of earlier ruins dating back to the Archaic period. It is believed that the earlier temple was destroyed in 480 BC by Persian troops during Xerxes I’s invasion of Greece. When you walk around the ancient temple grounds, you will not only feel a part of the ancient history of this great nation but you will have incomparable views of the sea, the cliffs and outlying islands.

18. Akrotiri, Minoan Bronze Age settlement, Santorini

Frescoes uncovered piece by piece at Akrotiri, Archaeological Site
Frescoes uncovered piece by piece at Akrotiri. Credit: Twitter/Kaspersky

Santorini offers tourists more than a unique moon-like landscape and enchanting villages with their white and blue-painted houses overlooking the azure sea.

The Minoan Bronze Age settlement of Akrotiri was destroyed in the 16th century BC by the volcanic explosion known as the Theran eruption. However, as a result of the eruption, the city was covered in ash, much like what happened in Pompeii, which helped preserve many artifacts and frescoes. The legend persists that Akrotiri is the lost city of Atlantis, which Plato famously wrote about.

19. The Pythagoreion and Heraion, Samos island

Samos Pythagoreio Castle. Archaeological Site
Samos’ Pythagoreio Castle. Credit: Wikipedia/Bukvoed/CC-BY-4.0

The small island of Samos has been inhabited since the 3rd millenium BC. It was considered to be one of the most important centers for political and cultural development from prehistory through the 4th to 5th century BC and up until the Middle Ages.

The fortified ancient city of Pythagoreion and the ancient Temple of Hera, the Heraion, are important sites on the island. Evidence suggests that the main settlement of this area occurred around the 1000s BC; however, there are also finds that date back to the Neolithic period, during the 5000s- 4000s BC.

20. The Archaeological Site of Philippi and ruins of Macedonian city Krinides

Archaeological site of Philippi, Archaeological Site
Archaeological site of Philippi. Credit: Berthold Werner/CC-BY-SA-3.0

These ruins are considered the most important archaeological site in Eastern Macedonia. The settlement called Krinides was originally founded by the people of Thasos in 360 BC. However, when King Philip II of Macedon was asked to help keep order in the city, he decided to conquer the city instead, since it was ideally situated for economics and battle. Once he conquered it, he fortified it and modestly named it after himself!

All in all, you cannot go wrong visiting any of these ancient sites which constitute a significant part of the basis of archaeological sites of Western Europe. From exquisite ancient Classical temples and archaeological treasures to stunning vistas over the sea and islands which make you feel you are part of the history of this great nation, Greece truly has it all for any traveler.

Palaion Patron Germanos: A Misunderstood Hero of the Greek War of Independence

Palaion Patron Germanos Greek War of Independence
“Germanos blessing the flag,” Theodoros Vryzakis, 1865. Credit: Public Domain.

One of the most well-known paintings of the Greek War of Independence is undoubtedly the one painted by Theodoros Vryzakis in 1865 depicting Metropolitan Palaion Patron Germanos, known also as Germanos III of Old Patras.

In the iconic image, Germanos is shown raising the flag of the revolution in the Agia Lavra Monastery and blessing the beginning of the Greek uprising on March 25, 1821.

Historians date that initial meeting to March 13, and the reason Greeks later chose March 25 as the date of their revolutionary struggle is due to the feast of the Annunciation of Virgin Mary, the most important figure of the Greek Orthodox Church.

The Greeks wanted to link their liberation from the Ottomans with this holy day, thus, Greeks and Orthodoxy would remain inextricably connected.

The Metropolitan Palaion Patron Germanos was born in Dimitsana, Arcadia, on March 25, 1771. His secular name was Georgios Kozias, son of Ioannis Kozias who was a jeweler.

The life of the holy man, Germanos III of Old Patras

He received his education at the school of his native village and then at Argos, where he became a clergyman and served as deacon of Metropolitan Iacovos.

He then left for theological studies in Smyrna in 1797, where he was employed at the Bishopric by Metropolitan Grigorios.

When Grigorios became Patriarch in 1797 he took Germanos with him and promoted him to Archdeacon of the Patriarchate, where Germanos completed his religious studies and general education.

Germanos served as Archdeacon (1800-1806) and then as Protosyngellos at the Metrolopis of Cyzicus, where he was serving when he was elected Bishop of Patras in 1806.

His charisma made him Metropolitan of Patras. He was appointed a Synod member in Constantinople where he stayed for another three years (1815-1818).

Palaion Patron Germanos’ Involvement with the Filiki Etairia

When he returned to Peloponnese, he became a member of the “Society of Friends” (Filiki Etairia), a secret group of prominent people who were seeking independence from Ottoman rule for the Greek nation.

He was introduced to Filiki Etairia by Ioannis Vlassopoulos, Consul of the Russian Empire at Patras. Palaion Patron Germanos started a secret campaign to raise money for the revolution.

On March 13, 1821, a Sunday, Palaion Patron Germanos blessed the standard during the liturgy at Agia Lavra Monastery in Achaea, and on March 25 1821, blessed the fighters at Agia Lavra and hoisted the flag of the Greek War of Independence in Agios Georgios Square at Patras.

In December 1822, after the Greek rebels achieved some victories against the Ottomans, the political leaders sent Germanos to Italy on a mission to obtain aid and support for the war effort from the Pope and the European Congress at Verona.

However, the Metropolitan’s stay in Italy was fruitless, because the papal representatives asked Palaion Patron Germanos for the Greek Church to unite with the Catholic Church under the Pope, so he returned to Greece without even meeting with the Pope.

Some historians question Germanos’ role in the War of Independence

In his memoirs, however, Germanos did not mention a doxology either at Agia Lavra or Vostitsa, and did not even mention the swearing-in ceremony he held at Agios Georgios Square in Patras, perhaps so that he would not seem to be boasting, or because he did not consider it important.

This has caused some historians, who generally question the role of the higher clergy in the Revolution, to cast doubt on the role of Plaion Patron Germanos in the War of Independence.

After he returned to Greece from Italy (June or July 1824) Greece was liberated and a minor civil war had already started.

Palaion Patron Germanos played a conciliatory role in the feuds among the Greeks who wanted political powers. He made the mistake of defending more strongly (perhaps on grounds of origin) the Achaean chieftains.

As a result, Ioannis Gouras had him arrested in 1825 but then set him free.

After that, Metropolitan Germanos moved to Nafplio where he was appointed member of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Third National Assembly.

He died on May 30, 1826 and was buried with honors in Nafplio. Later his remains were transferred to Dimitsana, his native village.

Greek Warriors Liberate Kalamata on March 23, 1821

Kalamata liberation
“Petrobey Mavromichalis leads the revolutionaries to Kalamata,” by Peter von Hess. Public Domain/Modern celebration, Kalamata municipality.

The Greek War of Independence actually began a few days earlier than its official declaration with the liberation of Kalamata on March 23, 1821.

The uprising in Mani had begun in the first days of March with Maniots and other Morias  (Peloponnese) rebels taking up arms.

Theodoros Kolokotronis was in Kardamili, and the Filiki Eteria had put Petrobey Mavromichalis at ease and overcome his objections that the revolution was untimely.

In mid-March, a ship loaded with ammunition, sent by Filiki Eteria from Smyrna to aid the Greek War of Independence arrived at the port of Almyro just outside of Kalamata. Nikitaras and Anagnostaras, together with their men, transported the valuable cargo to a safe place.

The Ottoman authorities of Kalamata somehow found out about the arrival of a cargo and asked the city’s elite what the contents were and why it was accompanied by armed men.

The reply was that the cargo was olive oil, and the men who accompanied it were villagers who were armed for fear of robbers.

The army chief of Kalamata, Suleiman Aga Arnaoutoglou, warned the Turkish population to get ready to leave, and also asked for the help of Petrobeis Mavromichalis, who at the time was the “Bei”(chief) of the area.

He fell into a trap, as Mavromichalis had already formed an alliance with the other Greeks. On March 17th, the nobles of Mani, under the leadership of Mavromichalis, had raised the flag of the War of Independence in Tsimova, today’s Areopolis of Laconia.

The priest of the village then gave his oath to support the revolution and blessed the weapons of the captains and their men in Taxiarchon Church. And so it came about that the unruly Maniots started the Revolution, eight days before its formal beginning.

Immediately afterward, Kyriakoulis Mavromichalis started out for Mistras and Monemvasia, and Petrobey Mavromichalis with Theodoros Kolokotronis and 2,000 men moved toward Kalamata.

Meanwhile, at the other end of Morias, the first revolutionary action of the War of Independence was marked with the siege of Kalavryta on March 21st.

The taking of Kalamata launches the War of Independence

Petrompeis Mavromihalis Kalamata
Petrompeis Mavromihalis by Hess. Public Domain

The Maniots and other rebels arrived outside Kalamata on March 22nd and positioned themselves in the surrounding hills, leaving no way out for the Turkish troops.

It was only then that the Aga of the city understood what was happening. However, it was too late to escape to Tripolitsa, the Morias capital that had a substantial Ottoman garrison.

With the city completely surrounded, Aga Arnatoutoglou decided to defend the city with the Ottoman citizens. However, it was a futile effort.

When the revolutionaries entered Kalamata on the morning of March 23, 1821, Ilias Mavromichalis asked Arnaoutoglou to surrender, emphasizing the futility of his effort.

The Aga had no choice but to hand over the city and all the Turkish armaments to the revolutionaries, according to protocol.

At noon, in front of the church of Agioi Apostoloi and in a festive atmosphere, the priests blessed the flags of revolution, and the fighters swore allegiance to the great cause.

A meeting followed in which the chiefs decided to set up a revolutionary committee. They named it the “Messenian Senate” to better coordinate the War of Independence.

The Messenian Senate leadership was assigned to Petrobey Mavromichalis, who bore the title of “General of the Spartan and Messenian Army.”

Related: New Movie Filmed in Kalamata Recreates Greek Revolutionary Era

Andrianos Golemis to Become the First Ever Greek Astronaut

Adrianos Golemis, Greek astronaut
Adrianos Golemis, a doctor for the European Space Agency, has become the first Greek to pass the organization’s test to become an astronaut. Credit: NASA Johnson. CC BY 2.0/flickr

Adrianos Golemis, who previously worked as a doctor for the European Space Agency, has now become the first Greek to pass the organization’s test to become an astronaut.

Every year, around 22,500 hopefuls apply for the European Space Agency’s (ESA) exams to become an astronaut, and each year only 25 are selected to progress through the three rounds of basic training, advanced training, and mission-specific training.

Adrianos Golemis Greek astronaut
Adrianos Golemis, first ESA Greek astronaut. Credit: Adrianos Golemis / LinkedIn

Golemis has successfully passed the first of exams after years working for the agency as a doctor. “When I was younger, I used to think that the job I’m doing now, that is, an astronaut doctor…is something exotic, [and] it’s not for Greeks,” he revealed. He used to think of the job as one limited to geniuses.

However, he said in speaking to Euronews, “This is not the case. Effort, persistence and of course an inclination” are what is needed.

First ESA Greek astronaut is a space flight surgeon

Speaking as a space flight surgeon, Golemis related the effects that being in space can have on the body. “Our bodies are made, [and] evolutionarily adapted in an impressive way to perform on earth. When we leave the earth, where there is gravity and all the protection of our planet, we are exposed to new dangers, so a body that is made to perform a lot on earth is taken out of the earth and suffers, at least for a few days,” he told Euronews.

“So we have nausea, vomiting, all these symptoms that we expect and know,” he said. “We see that astronauts who stay in space for six months or more usually develop some vision problems [which]…some overcome…on earth. For some it may last a life time.”

Astronauts spend half of their careers in training. Immediately after recruitment, they undergo a one-year basic training at their duty station, the European Astronaut Centre.

The European Space Agency website says:

“Becoming an ESA astronaut is extremely competitive. The last call for ESA astronauts took place in 2021. Once selected, ESA astronauts typically complete a minimum of three to four years of training before flying to space for the first time. ESA’s astronaut training is coordinated and implemented by the Astronaut Training Team based at EAC. The first phase for any successful astronaut candidate is known as basic training.”

“Basic training takes 12 months. During this time, astronaut candidates are introduced to the fundamentals of spaceflight, gain a detailed overview of all Space Station systems and transportation vehicles such as US commercial crew vehicles (SpaceX and Boeing), complete survival training, practice how to conduct a spacewalk and start learning special skills like Russian language, robotic operations and spacecraft rendezvous and docking.”

As can be inferred, ESA training for potential astronauts is especially rigorous. Golemis’ achievement is thus nothing short of impressive.

Greek-Mythology Netflix Show ‘Kaos’ Releases Trailer

Jeff Goldblum appears as Zeus in Netflix's first teaser trailer for its new Greek mythology-inspired series Kaos.
Jeff Goldblum appears as Zeus in Netflix’s first teaser trailer for its new Greek mythology-inspired series Kaos. Credit: wikimedia commons / Gage Skidmore CC BY-2.0

The first teaser trailer for Netflix’s upcoming Greek mythology-inspired series Kaos has been released, and it features Jeff Goldblum as the Greek god of thunder and sky, Zeus.
Off the back of the success of Percy Jackson and the Olympians’ on Disney+, Netflix has now finally released the first peek at its very own Greek mythology-inspired series called Kaos, which features Jeff Goldblum.

The teaser trailer for Kaos has the iconic movie star portraying Greek god Zeus, the father of all gods, at a stage where the character is facing the end of his reign over the world. As in the Percy Jackson live-action series, Netflix’s dark comedy is set in a modern milieu, delighting watchers with a contemporary infusion of Greek mythology.

The series is touted to explore themes of power, gender politics, and life in the underworld, as the brutal ruler of Mount Olympus will do everything he can to stay in power.

The stars in Netflix’s new Greek mythology-inspired show

Kaos is being brought to the screens by End of the F…ing World creator Charlie Covell, who has been working on the show since 2018. The cast also includes Janet McTeer as Hera, Cliff Curtis as Poseidon, David Thewlis as Hades, Rakie Ayola as Persephone, Nabhaan Rizwan as Dionysus, Killian Scott as Orpheus, Aurora Perrineau as Riddy, Misia Butler as Caneus, Leila Farzad as Ari, and Stanley Townsend as king Minos.

This is a major scripted TV project for Jeff Goldblum after his recurring roles in Search Party, Season 2. Before this Greek mythology-inspired Netflix series, the star hosted a Disney+ documentary series, The World According to Jeff Goldblum, which lasted for just two seasons.

As per Netflix’s global fan event Tudum, the official synopsis for Kaos reads, “It’s about the pantheon of gods, mortals, and everyone in between inhabiting the intriguing world of KAOS. Zeus is at the top of the mythological food chain as the King of the Gods, a position he has enjoyed for quite some time. Then one day he discovers the unthinkable—a wrinkle on his forehead.”

It continues, “Paranoia builds, leading the supreme deity down a dangerous and unstable path. Zeus is convinced his fall is nigh and sees omens of doom everywhere. And he’s right to be worried because Zeus’ onetime friend and now prisoner, Prometheus, is orchestrating a plan to bring him down. The plan involves three disparate humans, all of whom are totally unaware of their cosmic significance or the part they must play in saving the world.”

Kaos will not be the first time that Netflix has dived into mythology, being that the streaming service currently has two popular adult-animated shows which feature multiple gods, Blood of Zeus and Record of Ragnarok. At present, Rebel Moon director Zack Snyder is also developing Twilight of the Gods, an animated series which takes place in the world of Norse mythology.

Biden Issues Greek Independence Day Proclamation

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Joe Biden proclamation Greek independence day
US President Joe Biden has issued a proclamation marking Greek Independence Day as a national day of celebration of democracy. Credit: Washington Oxi Day Foundation handout to GR

On Friday, US President Joe Biden issued a proclamation marking Greek Independence Day on March 25th as “A National Day of Celebration of Greek and American Democracy.”

The proclamation, issued by the White House, commemorated the deep historical bonds between Greece and the US. It highlighted their shared efforts during World War II, when both nations fought against the forces of fascism. Additionally, it underscored their unity during the Cold War, as they worked together to overcome the threat of communism.

The US has the largest population of Greeks outside of Greece itself with a diaspora population of roughly three million. On Monday, March 25th, many Greek-Americans will mark Greek Independence Day, particularly in cities such as New York, where a parade is held annually.

Full text of Biden’s proclamation marking Greek Independence Day

In a proclamation today, on March 22nd, US President Biden addressed Greek Independence Day as follows:

On this day more than 200 years ago, revolutionaries throughout Greece rose up for the cause of freedom and declared their independence from the Ottoman Empire. Today, we honor the legacy of these courageous Greek women and men and rededicate ourselves to the cause of liberty and democracy for all.

Throughout our shared history, the people of Greece and the United States have been bound by this common belief—the power to shape our destiny should rest in the hands of “we the people.” Generation after generation, Americans and Greeks have come together to make those words a reality. We saw it during World War II, when our nations both fought the forces of fascism. We saw it during the Cold War, when our people stood united to prevail against communism. We see it today, as Greece and America stand together alongside a coalition of more than 50 nations to support the brave people of Ukraine as they fight for the same values those Greek revolutionaries did more than 200 years ago: liberty, freedom, and sovereignty.

Today, the partnership, alliance, and friendship shared by Greece and the United States is stronger than ever before—due in large part to the culture, courage, and character of the Greek American community. From standing up for social justice and advancing civil rights to striving to make our Nation freer and fairer, Greek Americans have pushed our country forward, fanning the flame of liberty that first sparked in Athens thousands of years ago. Throughout my career, I have been lucky to see this heart, hope, and commitment up close, and I have drawn lifelong inspiration from Greek American friends, families, leaders, and political mentors.

Today and every day, let us celebrate the unbreakable bonds of friendship shared by the United States and the Hellenic Republic. Let us continue to draw strength from the ideas put forth and the example set by our two countries. Guided by our highest hopes and ideals, let us recommit to preserving, defending, and protecting democracy—together.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim March 25, 2024, as Greek Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration of Greek and American Democracy. I call upon the people of the United States to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-second day of March, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-four, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-eighth.

JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

ISIS Claims Responsibility for Moscow, Russia Concert Hall Attack

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Crocus City Hall, Moscow, Russia, the concert hall where a terrorist attack is taking places.
Crocus City Hall, Moscow, Russia, the concert hall where a terrorist attack took place, which has now been claimed by ISIS. Credit: JuliánAlejandroS. CC BY-3.0/Wikimedia Commons/JulianAlejandroS

Islamic State (ISIS) have claimed responsibility for the attack on the Crocus City Hall music venue on the outskirts of Moscow, Russia, which reportedly killed 40 people and injured as many as 100 more.

The full statement posted on its Telegram account reads “Islamic State fighters attacked a large gathering of Christians in the city of Krasnogorsk on the outskirts of the Russian capital, Moscow, killing and wounding hundreds and causing great destruction to the place before they withdrew to their bases safely.”

Russian news agencies reported an explosive blast and a fire earlier this evening (Friday, March 22). At least four people in camouflaged uniforms are said to have opened fire on audiences in a large concert hall in Moscow, Russia.

What is happening at the Russian concert hall?

At least 40 people have been killed and more than 100 injured according to Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) It is the deadliest terror attack in Russia in years, as camouflaged gunmen opened fire and detonated explosives in the Crocus City Music Hall in Moscow.

Photos showed the hall engulfed in flames, and footage began to emerge from the attack, showing at least four gunmen opening fire from automatic weapons as terrified, panicked Russian concert-goers ran for their lives.

In one of the videos, three men in camouflage gear carrying rifles fired at point blank range at bodies on the floor of the concert hall. Apparently, the attackers also detonated explosives, as the sounds of blasts could be heard in other videos of the attack.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said the attack was a “great tragedy.” More than 70 ambulances have been dispatched to the site of the shooting and explosion. “The attackers presumably opened fire at the entrance to the building during a concert, using automatic weapons, and then a fire began in the building,” said emergency services. Authorities said that up to five people took part in the attack.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has condemned the attack “in the strongest possible terms” a spokesperson said. “The Secretary-General conveys his deep condolences to the bereaved families and the people and the Government of the Russian Federation. He wishes those injured a speedy recovery,” said deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq.

Russia’s media reports state that riot police units were sent to the area as people were being evacuated from the concert hall. The shooting at the concert hall was similar to some of Europe’s worst terrorist attacks, such as the attack on the Bataclan in Paris in November 2015. The Nord Ost terrorist attack in Moscow in 2002 will likely be recalled, wherein gunmen took hostages at a theater in one of the worst incidents in the country’s history.

Russian news agency 112, a specialist crime reporting operation, estimated the death toll to be as high as 40 while more than 100 are believed to have been wounded. It wasn’t clear if police had managed to deal with the threat by this evening, as emergency workers said they had evacuated 100 people who had been sheltering in the building’s basement.

An eyewitness told the Mash Telegram channel that there were “at least five” attackers and that they were “bearded.”

“They act like trained…fighters,” the account read. “At the moment of entering the building, the guards and people standing at the door were killed. Then they blocked the main entrance.”

“The terrorists are armed with AKM assault rifles,” the individual reported. “Some carry unloads with various ammunition. At least two of the attackers are carrying backpacks, possibly with molotov cocktails.”

Russian authorities had recently carried out a series of raids against armed Islamist militants in the region of Ingushetia, leading to pitched firefights between police and the fighters.

 

This is a developing story.

 

Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, Diagnosed With Cancer

Kate Middleton cancer
Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, announced she’s diagnosed with cancer. Screenshot from video issued by Kensington Palace.

In a deeply personal and unexpected announcement, Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, revealed on Friday evening that she has been diagnosed with cancer and is currently undergoing chemotherapy.

This news has sent shockwaves through the United Kingdom and the world, as the Princess is a beloved figure across the globe.

The announcement came through a video message released by Kensington Palace. There, Kate Middleton shared the distressing news in a composed yet visibly emotional way. She explained that the cancer was discovered following her known major abdominal surgery she underwent in January, initially believed to be for a non-cancerous condition.

The surgery was successful, the Princess said, but subsequent tests revealed the presence of cancer, leading to the recommendation of preventative chemotherapy.

Kate’s diagnosis comes at a challenging time for the British Royal Family, with King Charles III, her father-in-law, also undergoing treatment for an undisclosed type of cancer. The health of Catherine –as she’s officially known– and the recent update have already sparked an outpouring of support and concern from the public and have highlighted the personal struggles faced by public figures behind the scenes.

This comes especially after a wave of conspiracy theories flooded the internet recently, following a manipulated photo that had been released by Kensington Palace, fueling the wild rumours about the Princess’ health.

In her video message, Kate expressed that the diagnosis was a “huge shock” for her and Prince William, emphasising the difficulty of processing and managing this crisis privately while considering the well-being of their young family.

The Princess of Wales also shared the steps they have taken to explain the situation to their children, George, Charlotte, and Louis, in an age-appropriate manner, ensuring them that she is going to be okay.

Despite the gravity of her health situation, Kate’s message was also filled with hope, sharing a message of resilience. She thanked the medical team for their care and expressed gratitude for the support and kindness shown by the public. Moreover, she extended her thoughts to others affected by cancer, encouraging them not to lose faith or hope.

Kate’s announcement has not only brought attention to her personal battle with cancer but has also brought the spotlight back on the broader issue of cancer awareness and the importance of early detection and treatment.

Who is Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales

The official name of the Princess of Wales is Catherine Elizabeth Middleton. She was born on January 9, 1982, in Reading, Berkshire, England.

She married Prince William, the Prince of Wales, on April 29, 2011, at Westminster Abbey. Catherine, commonly known as Kate, became the Princess of Wales in 2022, a title previously held by her mother-in-law, the late Princess Diana.

She is known for her involvement in charitable work, particularly focusing on children’s issues, mental health, and early childhood development. Catherine and Prince William have three children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.

Related: King Charles Diagnosed With Cancer

Hospital Transplants Pig Kidney Into Human for First Time

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doctor surgery transplant
Doctors at Massachusetts General Hospital have managed to perform the first transplant of a kidney from a pig into a human. Credit : flickr / ophthalmology muh. Public Domain

In a four-hour surgery undertaken at Massachusetts General Hospital on Saturday, March 16th, doctors have managed to perform the first transplant of a genetically modified kidney from a pig into a living human, they announced on Thursday.

In the hospital, which was also where the first kidney transplant was performed in 1954, patient Rick Slayman, a 62-year-old manager with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation who had been diagnosed with end-stage kidney disease, is reportedly recovering well and is expected to be discharged from the practice soon.

Doctors announced Thursday that they believed his new kidney could last years. However, they also noted that there are a number of unknowns when it comes to animal-to-human transplants. In a written statement from the hospital, Slayman said he had been a patient in the hospital’s transplant program for eleven years.

Prior to the pig transplant, he had received a kidney from a human donor after living with diabetes and high blood pressure for several years. That organ began showing signs of failure just five years later, and Slayman resumed his dialysis a few years later in 2023.

At the point he was diagnosed with end-stage kidney disease last year, he told CNN, his doctors suggested he try a pig kidney.

“I saw it not only as a way to help me, but a way to provide hope for the thousands of people who need a transplant to survive,” Slayman said in the statement. Medical professionals who were not involved in the case said the operation represented a significant milestone in medicine.

“To finally see this come to fruition after years of work and collaboration is really a huge step forward and a great moment for transplant,” Dr Parsia Vagefi, chief of surgical transplantation at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, told CNN.

Dr. Tatsuo Kawai, director of the Legorreta Center for Clinical Transplant Tolerance and the surgeon who performed the operation, reportedly said the pig organ was exactly the same size as a human kidney.

When they stitched it in, connecting its blood vessels to Slayman’s, Kawai told CNN, it immediately “pinked up” and began producing urine. The fifteen-member transplant team in the operating room burst into applause, he said.

“It was truly the most beautiful kidney I have ever seen,” Kawai said Thursday in a news briefing that was emotional for the doctors involved, some of whom have worked on this research for their entire careers.

How pig and other animal organs can help in the future

The need for organs far outweighs the number that are readily available, with seventeen people dying on a daily basis in the US while waiting for an organ. Kidneys are the organ in shortest supply. According to the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network, around 27,000 kidneys were transplanted in 2023, but nearly 89,000 people were on the waiting list for those organs.

It has been claimed by experts that xenotransplants, which involve the transplantation of animal organs into humans, are key to solving the organ shortage issue.

“It also could be a potential breakthrough in solving one of the more intractable problems in our field, that being an unequal access for ethnic minority patients to the opportunity for kidney transplantation,” said Dr Winfred Williams, associate chief of the Department of Nephrology at Mass General, in the news briefing.

This is the third transplant of a pig organ into a living human. The first two were hearts transplanted into living people who had nowhere left to turn in terms of transplant options. The organs were transplanted under special rules that allow compassionate employment of experimental therapies for people in desperate medical situations. Both patients died soon after receiving the transplants.

The research team at Mass General Brigham said that although this latest transplant was significant, more research is still needed. This would ideally involve a large study at many hospitals to fully understand the efficacy of pig kidney transplants.

“Our hope is that dialysis will become obsolete,” Dr Leonardo Riella, medical director of kidney transplantation at Mass General told CNN. “Dialysis will be like a ventilator for a patient with respiratory failure. You use it for a period of time, and hopefully if they’re healthy enough, they could have a more permanent solution, which could be a human transplant or a xenotransplant.”