Chrysostomos of Smyrna

Chrysostomos Kalafatis (Greek Χρυσόστομος Καλαφάτης ), known as Chrysostomos of Smyrna (* 1867 in Triglia, † September 9, 1922 in Smyrna ) was from 1919 to 1922, the Archbishop of the Greek Orthodox Church of Smyrna (now Izmir).

In 1902 he was Patriarch Joachim III. appointed by Konstantin Opel Bishop of drama. This bishopric was in the East Macedonia, a predominantly inhabited by Greeks part of the former Ottoman Empire.

His strong commitment to the Greek interests led to his expulsion by the Turkish authorities in 1907. 1910 sent him as bishop of Partriarch to Smyrna. Again he sat down heavily for the predominantly Greek -born population, particularly those from Anatolia who fled from persecution Greeks. This prompted the repeated expulsion of Chrysostom to Constantinople Opel in 1914.

After the end of World War I. Smyrna was occupied as a result of the Treaty of Sèvres by Greek troops, and returned in 1919 as Bishop Chrysostomos returned to Smyrna. After the conquest of Smyrna by the Kemalist troops in 1922 Archbishop Chrysostomos was lynched at the behest of Nureddin Pasha, the Turkish mob in front of the eyes of the world in a cruel manner.

About the background of his murder said Eduard Joulie, a French deputy in October 1922 before the French Parliament: " They led the archbishop before a barber shop and cut his beard and hair off. Then they stabbed him and cut his nose off and put out his eyes out. Our sailors had to watch desperate idly. The officer threatened with firing if they should intervene. Then they brought the corpse in the Turkish quarter, where they left him, and to the dogs accused ".

Chrysostom had previously refused, in spite of the impending conquest of Smyrna by the Turks to leave the city because he considered it his duty as archbishop to stand by his Christian brothers in faith during this difficult time. He is now venerated by the Orthodox Church as a saint.