I will refer to a small moment in the history of the Greek Revolution. However, this page of Greek History, forgotten by current historians, was the moment when it was decided that a Nation would be born, or more correctly, reborn. I am talking about the meeting of the Roumeli chieftains in Lefkada. The meeting of Lefkada is paralleled by the assembly of Vostitsa. I would dare to say that it is probably superior, because at the assembly of Vostitsa the Greeks did not enthusiastically accept the message of the Revolution, while in Lefkada the chieftains were not hesitant for a moment.
Initially, Lefkada was a neighboring island of the Ionian Islands in Central Greece and was under British occupation.[1] For this reason, it was a refuge for the Roumeli chieftains, who went so far as to consider it their second homeland.[2] Since 1817, there was a committee of Friends in Lefkada which consisted of Ioannis Zampelios, Ioannis Zapralis and Angelos Soundias.[3] The three of them formed the core of Filiki in the mainland and even initiated several of its chieftains.[4] The leader of the Friendly League of Lefkada was Ioannis Zampelios, as he had been appointed Commissioner of the Friendly League in the Ionian Islands and had been assigned to prepare the match in the region.[5] Zambelios was Attorney General on the island, that is, an employee of the English government.[6] However, he was possessed of strong feelings for Greece and was a fervent patriot.[7]
At the end of December 1820, Zambelios received a message from the leader of the Philikis, Alexander Ypsilantis.[8] Specifically, the message was transmitted to Lefkada by Perraivos, who was the plenipotentiary of the Supreme Authority in Epirus.[9] According to others, the letter came from the local Ephorate of Corfu.[10] This specific notice called on Zampelios to organize a meeting of the initiated Philists of Sterea, in Lefkada.[11] The meeting was scheduled for after Epiphany.[12]
Excerpt from the letter: "a) Brothers, the time has come, the Greek revolution is about to explode, and European Turkey from the Danube to the Mediterranean Sea and even to Constantinople will rebel, and a terrible war will break out everywhere.
b) You elected from among the Lefkadians those whom you know love their homeland and are willing to support it in the struggle as best they can, and you appointed the members of the Friendly Society according to their various ranks.
c) Create a financial bank, be the first to deposit as an example to the others and collect as much as you can, so that with this and whatever they want to send you from outside, you will be able to cover the costs of all war aid.
d) The two of you become a committee on the same matters and include the necessary officials for whatever you want to do in favor of the revolution.
e) At the very beginning of 1821 and perhaps after the feast of Epiphany, many Captains of the mainland will want to meet with you, under the pretext that the Turkish troops who are besieging Alin are leaving, but with the aim of deciding on the plan of the revolution in both the mainland and the Peloponnese and the islands, so that each one, at the same time and according to the agreed terms, will raise the revolutionary flag in his province. These are all partners and you should receive them without reservation and come to an understanding and assist them in everything. Above all, you should communicate with the leaders of Western Greece and agree on the means of correspondence with them.
f) Be careful to do all this with complete secrecy so as not to imply anything about the Ionian administration, because it is unknown whether England wants to appear as a friend or an enemy in Greek affairs.».[13]
Indeed, from the beginning of the year 1821, the chieftains Odysseas Androutsos (accompanied by his loyal follower Othoman Bektatsis), Georgios Tsogkas, Georgios Varnakiotis, Georgios Karaiskakis, Dim. Makris, N. Stornaris, D. Kontogiannis, Them. Mitsas, D. Kitsos, Katsikogiannis and Panourgias began to arrive in Lefkada.[14] Furthermore, Democelius was probably there as well, as he recounts in his memoirs: "In the winter [1821] we were sitting in a tavern in Meganisi with Karaiskakis and Odysseus. Karaiskakis told me about the Society, that it would be held in the spring. My family was in Meganisi. I went out. We went out. We got married in Vonitza. Odysseus pulled through Levadia».[15] Envoy of the Peloponnesians, Elias Mavromichalis, son of Petrobeys Mavromichalis, arrived, who, in order not to arouse the suspicions of the English, came with a ship full of coal, supposedly as a merchant.[16] It is worth highlighting the different opinion of Sarantos Kargakos, who states that Kyriakoulis Mavromichalis went to Lefkada as a representative of the Maniats.[17] The islanders sent Giakoumakis Tombazis, who was in Corfu, on a Hydra ship.[18] Perhaps there is a connection here, as some say that Mavromichalis came on a Hydra ship with captain Tombazis.[19] It is unknown whether they both actually came from Kekrira together. It is also said that Mavromichalis would go to the island's "bazaar" and shout ""Get some coals to light the fire," meaning "Everyone, help to fan the flame of the Revolution."».[20]
Furthermore, Aristides Papas also arrived with various letters from Ypsilantis.[21] Finally, Ioannis Zapralis, a doctor from Syrrakos in Epirus, arrived.[22], Athanasios Politis from Lefkada (professor at the Academy in Corfu), Polychroniades who carried letters from Constantinople and the Supreme Authority in Pissa, Italy, and Metropolitan Ignatius, and then he would go to Vienna to meet the partners there.[23]
Initially, the meeting was actually not just one, but the chieftains met various local Philikos during the time they were in Lefkada.[24] In fact, three days after their arrival in Lefkada, most of them, waiting for the others, began to gather in various places and eat and drink.[25] Ioannis Zampelios states characteristically: «After three days of their arrival, until the other waiting captains had gathered, they often designated certain parts of the city, from which it was easily possible to see the lands of the Fatherland, and coming there they planned the revolution and joined in, making lively toasts in honor of their dreams and singing songs of the Fatherland with tears; and these places were the monastery of Hodegetria, Saint Constantine, Faneromeni, Saint Trias, around which the waters that separate Acarnania from Lefkada undulate, the village of Kaligonion, overlooking the parts of Acarnania, the orchard of Saint Anne, formerly of St. Ag. Halikopoulos, the last son-in-law of Io. Stavros, and also the house of Io. Zambelios, where the plan of the revolution was carried out.».[26]
After one of the above meetings, because they had been carried away by the atmosphere of Carnival, as Zambelios himself recounts, all the leaders, after the "meal", went to the square of Agios Spyridon and began a Levantine dance.[27] He himself recounts: "They showed off their youth, their levity, and their flexibility, dancing all day long in front of everyone.».[28] The last meeting took place at Zampelios' house.[29] Zambelios informs us that this happened on Shrove Sunday at eleven o'clock in the morning.[30] The door of the house was guarded by Androutsos' faithful Muslim servant.[31]
The probable date of the last meeting according to the History of the Greek Nation by Athens Publishing House is the 30th.η January[32] while, according to Panourgias St. Panourgias, a descendant of the chieftain Panourgias, the 14th stands out as possible datesη February as well as the 20η February.[33] Historian Fotios Stavridis reports that the meeting took place in February 1821.[34] while the lexicographer of the Revolution, Christos Stasinopoulos, states that it took place in January 1821.[35] Historians Yannis Grintakis, Angelos Hortis, Hector Hortis and Giorgos Dalkos write that the Lefkada meeting took place on the 30th.η January 1821 (using the old calendar).[36]
The meeting discussed the issue of preparations for the revolution in Central Greece.[37] Those present were informed that the Supreme Authority of the Philikis had designated the 25th as the day of uprising.η Of March.[38] The most likely scenario is that the date of the start was announced by Elias Mavromichalis, who also conveyed the message of the Peloponnesian leaders for a simultaneous uprising throughout Greece and the appeal to the chieftains of Central Greece to seize all the crossings so that the Turkish army would not be able to descend towards the Peloponnese.[39]
The news of the uprising was received by everyone with enormous enthusiasm and it was even decided that everyone would work for the successful outcome of the Struggle.[40] Lefkada, according to the agreements, would be the place of gathering and supplying munitions.[41] Finally, the following responsibilities were agreed upon and assigned: Androutsos and Panourgias would organize and incite the Eastern Central Region, and Varnakiotis, Tsogkas and Karaiskakis the Western Central Region.[42] Finally, the Turkish "offense" was scheduled for Vrachori, Messolonghi and Salona.[43]
The decisions were formalized with a doxology and oath-taking in the chapel of Panagia in Vlacheraina.[44] This doxology was probably made by the protopope Zacharias Montesanto.[45] Zambelios very eloquently states that: "Kneeling and weeping, they all begged the Creator to save the resurrected Greece and crown their work with divine grace.».[46]
The plaque that was installed in August 1964 on the eastern wall of the chapel reads (in capital letters): "Here in the outer church of Panagia of Blachernae, the following Philikos and chieftains, led by the Lefkadian Philikos Ioannos Zambelios, gathered on Shrove Sunday 1821 at around eleven o'clock in the morning and swore on the Holy Gospel to liberate the enslaved homeland:... ".[47]
«The holy metropolitan church of Evangelistria of Lefkada owns a silver-bound Gospel that comes from the ruined – after the earthquake of 1938 – Church of Agios Antonios of Lefkada and is currently exhibited in the Ecclesiastical Museum of the Holy Monastery of Faneromeni of Lefkada. This Gospel is considered by a long-standing parish tradition as the “Gospel of the Friends”, and as such is surrounded with special honor.».[48]
After the doxology, Zambelios again mentions that the council was sealed with a good snack at his house.[49] During this it is said that the oldest of all takes the glass and says: "May God bring everything to the right!» and drinks the wine.[50] They all exclaimed together, "Amen! Amen!" and they emptied their glasses.[51] Varnakiotis again says: "The decision was God's.» and finally Karaiskakis adds: «Listen, my children, soon we will scatter them across the plain like... ".[52] His rant was lost to the oblivion of History as the poet and lawyer Zambelios, who handed these down to us, did not want to write the obvious insult unleashed by the unrepentantly profane Son of the Nun.
This was the famous meeting of Lefkada or Agia Mavra, which, although as an event it is buried among other major events, constitutes the opening moment of the Revolution that led to the Freedom of the region of Central Greece, the rebel-born and heroic Roumeli.
Bibliography
Archimandrite Ioannikios Zambelis, "Tracing the presence and activity of the Philikas in Agia Mavra (1819-1821)", in 200 years since the establishment of the tax offices of the Philiki Eteria in the Ionian Islands. Proceedings of a Scientific Conference, Corfu Reading Society/Corfuian Union of Athens "Saint Spyridon", Corfu, 2021
Yannis Grintakis-Georgos Dalkos-Angelos Hortis-Hector Hortis, On this day in the Revolution of 1821, Metaichmio, c.t., 2020
D. Gr. Kambouroglous, “Unpublished works of John Zambelios: Autograph of John Zambelios”, in Harmony, Issue 5being (1902)
D. Gr. Kambouroglous, "Unpublished works of John Zambelios: The Lefkadas on the Greek Revolution: establishment and progress of the Friendly Society in Lefkada", in Harmony, Issue 2being (1902)
Efi Allamani, “The Lefkada meeting and pre-revolutionary events in Western Greece”, in History of the Greek Nation, Athens Publishing S.A./published by Parapolitika Publications S.A., 2015, Volume 27
Panourgias St. Panourgias, Panourgiades: the story of a family from the years of the Greek Revolution of 1821, Ikaros, 2012, First Volume
Sarantos I. Kargakos, Modern Greek History, Great Figures and Great Moments of '21, Psychogios Publications, Athens, 2021, Volume B'
Fotios Chr. Stavridis, 1821 The answer to "television", Pelasgos Publications/Ioannis Chr. Giannakenas, Athens, 12015, Volume 1: From Rigas Feraios Velestinlis to the Fall of Tripolitsa (September 23, 1821)
Christos A. Stasinopoulos, Dictionary of the Greek Revolution of 1821, Dedemadis Publications, 1979 / To Vima/Alter Ego S.A., 2021, Volume A, Title: "Saint Mavra"
[1] Efi Allamani, “The Lefkada meeting and pre-revolutionary events in Western Greece”, in History of the Greek Nation, Athens Publishing S.A./published by Parapolitika Publications S.A., 2015, Volume 27, p. 83
[2] At the same
[3] At the same
[4] At the same
[5] Panourgias St. Panourgias, Panourgiades: the story of a family from the years of the Greek Revolution of 1821, Ikaros, 2012, First Volume, p. 94, note 90
[6] At the same
[7] At the same
[8] At the same, p. 94
[9] At the same, note 91
[10] Archimandrite Ioannikios Zambelis, "Tracing the presence and activity of the Philikas in Agia Mavra (1819-1821)", in 200 years since the establishment of the tax offices of the Philiki Eteria in the Ionian Islands. Proceedings of a Scientific Conference, Corfu Reading Society/Corfucian Union of Athens "Saint Spyridon", Corfu, 2021, p. 183
[11] Panourgias St. Panourgias, Panourgiades: the story of a family from the years of the Greek Revolution of 1821, ibid., p. 94
[12] Effie Allamani, "The Lefkada meeting and pre-revolutionary events in Western Greece", ibid., p. 83
[13] D. Gr. Kambouroglous, "Unpublished works of John Zambelios: The Lefkadas on the Greek Revolution: establishment and progress of the Friendly Society in Lefkada", in Harmony, Issue 2being (1902), pp. 79-80
[14] D. Gr. Kambouroglous, "Unpublished works of John Zambelios: The Lefkadas on the Greek Revolution: establishment and progress of the Friendly Society in Lefkada", ibid., p. 81∙ Panourgias St. Panourgias, Panourgiades: the story of a family from the years of the Greek Revolution of 1821, ibid., p. 94
[15] Archimandrite Ioannikios Zambelis, "Tracing the presence and activity of the Philikas in Agia Mavra (1819-1821)", ibid., p. 184∙ This is also an original source that tells us about the meeting. In addition to that of Zampelios who was the organizer.
[16] Panourgias St. Panourgias, Panourgiades: the story of a family from the years of the Greek Revolution of 1821, ibid., p. 94
[17] Sarantos I. Kargakos, Modern Greek History, Great Figures and Great Moments of '21, Psychogios Publications, Athens, 2021, Volume B, p. 289
[18] Panourgias St. Panourgias, Panourgiades: the story of a family from the years of the Greek Revolution of 1821, ibid., p. 95; D. Gr. Kambouroglous, “Unpublished works of John Zambelios: The Lefkadas on the Greek Revolution: establishment and progress of the Friendly Society in Lefkada”, ibid., p. 81
[19] Archimandrite Ioannikios Zambelis, "Tracing the presence and activity of the Philikas in Agia Mavra (1819-1821)", ibid., p. 185
[20] At the same
[21] Panourgias St. Panourgias, Panourgiades: the story of a family from the years of the Greek Revolution of 1821, ibid., p. 95; about Pappas we read: «Zambelios is not well remembered, if that Aristides (whose letters from the Friendly Society were received and they learned about the studied Greek revolution and they killed him and sacrificed Patriarch Gregory for this purpose), when he was present in Lefkada at the end of 1821, while in Zambelios' house the Greek leaders, as mentioned above, were planning the revolution in Greece, he came from Constantinople and went to Pisa to find Metropolitan Ignatius and then he was going to head to Vienna and Vlacho-Moldavia, or on the contrary, he was going down from Vienna and going to Constantinople, but it is certain that he then passed through Lefkada and attended as from above the plan of the Greek commanders for the revolution of Greece. Zambelius remembers this well, because at that time he hosted him in his house and dined with him and with those commanders and then received from him as a gift the rhetoric of Bambas and the philological book of Economos". (See: D. Gr. Kambouroglous, "Unpublished Works of John Zambelios: Autograph of John Zambelios", in Harmony, Issue 5being (1902), p. 235)
[22] Archimandrite Ioannikios Zambelis, "Tracing the presence and activity of the Philikas in Agia Mavra (1819-1821)", ibid., p. 185
[23] D. Gr. Kambouroglous, "Unpublished works of John Zambelios: The Lefkadas on the Greek Revolution: establishment and progress of the Friendly Society in Lefkada", ibid., p. 82
[24] Panourgias St. Panourgias, Panourgiades: the story of a family from the years of the Greek Revolution of 1821, ibid., p. 95
[25] D. Gr. Kambouroglous, "Unpublished works of John Zambelios: The Lefkadas on the Greek Revolution: establishment and progress of the Friendly Society in Lefkada", ibid., p. 82
[26] At the same, pp. 82-83
[27] At the same, p. 83
[28] At the same
[29] At the same
[30] At the same
[31] At the same
[32] Effie Allamani, "The Lefkada meeting and pre-revolutionary events in Western Greece", ibid., p. 83
[33] Panourgias St. Panourgias, Panourgiades: the story of a family from the years of the Greek Revolution of 1821, ibid., p. 95
[34] Fotios Chr. Stavridis, 1821 The answer to "television", Pelasgos Publications/Ioannis Chr. Giannakenas, Athens, 12015, Volume 1: From Rigas Feraios Velestinlis to the Fall of Tripolitsa (September 23, 1821), p. 179
[35] Christos A. Stasinopoulos, Dictionary of the Greek Revolution of 1821, Dedemadis Publications, 1979 / To Vima/Alter Ego S.A., 2021, Volume A, Heading: "Agia Mavra", p. 27
[36] Yannis Grintakis-Georgos Dalkos-Angelos Hortis-Hector Hortis, On this day in the Revolution of 1821, Metaichmio, 2020, p. 44
[37] Effie Allamani, "The Lefkada meeting and pre-revolutionary events in Western Greece", ibid., p. 83
[38] At the same
[39] At the same∙ In addition, these are also confirmed by Ioannis Zambelios in a very lucid, literary manner (D. Gr. Kambouroglous, "Unpublished works of Ioannis Zambelios: The Lefkadas on the Greek Revolution: establishment and progress of the Friendly Society in Lefkada", ibid., p. 83)
[40] Effie Allamani, "The Lefkada meeting and pre-revolutionary events in Western Greece", ibid., p. 83
[41] At the same
[42] At the same
[43] D. Gr. Kambouroglous, "Unpublished works of John Zambelios: The Lefkadas on the Greek Revolution: establishment and progress of the Friendly Society in Lefkada", ibid., p. 83
[44] Effie Allamani, "The Lefkada meeting and pre-revolutionary events in Western Greece", ibid., p. 83
[45] Archimandrite Ioannikios Zambelis, "Tracing the presence and activity of the Philikas in Agia Mavra (1819-1821)", ibid., p. 186
[46] D. Gr. Kambouroglous, "Unpublished works of John Zambelios: The Lefkadas on the Greek Revolution: establishment and progress of the Friendly Society in Lefkada", ibid., pp. 83-84
[47] Archimandrite Ioannikios Zambelis, "Tracing the presence and activity of the Philikas in Agia Mavra (1819-1821)", ibid., p. 187
[48] At the same
[49] D. Gr. Kambouroglous, "Unpublished works of John Zambelios: The Lefkadas on the Greek Revolution: establishment and progress of the Friendly Society in Lefkada", ibid., p. 84
[50] At the same
[51] At the same
[52] At the same
Photo By Ioannes A. Arsenēs, Michael A. Raphaelobits – http://anemi.lib.uoc.gr/metadata/0/6/f/metadata-413-0000075.tkl (download pdf), Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10361397, https://el.wikipedia.org/wiki/
