Two hundred and forty years were completed since martyred in Turkish occupied large castle, the Martyr of the Cretan revolution, that after a hundred years of slavery, dared to raise the stature of the powerful oppressor. On 17 June 1771 the executioner sharpens the blade and begins the awful task of ...
But let's take things from the beginning. John Vlahos as it was named, was born at Anopoli. Date not known, but is probably in 1722 or 1730. He was one of the most literate, educated and well traveled Sfakiots, passed into history as Daskalogiànnis.
Sfakia was known by the name of a teacher and also refers to a Turkish document of 1750 as 'The slave Daskalogianis grammarian of Kastelli'. The nickname was given teacher because obviously provided teaching. His father was a wealthy shipowner who educated abroad, probably in Italy, where he studied and then other Cretans once spoke Italian and Russian. In appearance it was a man of moderate stature, and manly gracefulness like character. Had natural eloquence easily persuaded and after he had the rare gift of oratory leadership. He had four brothers. His wife called Sgouromallini or Xanthomallini, hailing from Rethymno and together had acquired four daughters and two sons.
Held the Daskalogiànnis trikatarta had four boats and he traveled with them to the ports of the Mediterranean and Black Sea. These activities make him rich and famous in Europe of the Enlightenment. In 1760 was appointed chief of the armed forces in Sfakia. Person connected with Orlofs motivated along with other chieftains of the Peloponnese to start revolution, relying on empty promises about Russian assistance.
The clever and resourceful warrior, organizes 1300 men, founded mint in a seaside cave west of Sfakia, which bears his name and animates them Sfakiots to believe, that the time freedom we so longed for home.
In March 1770, Anopoli raises the flag of revolution. At the last moment and while recorded victorious battles betrayed by the Russians and realizes that he is alone against large army. Immediately, continues to be insubordinate and gives a fierce battle in Imbros, to give time to the women to embark on ships.
The Turks send 6000 troops to Anopoli and ships at the Bath, who occupies the proud village, slaughters the inhabitants, pillage and destroy what remains. The two daughters are captured. In desperation, thinking to succumb to his letter Pasha delivered. The others do not agree and so given the second dramatic battle Aradaina Gorge, where the Turks decimate the militants. After a second letter of the Turks to declare allegiance in exchange for a general amnesty, the Daskalogiànnis to stop bloodshed since there was no hope, signs and October 1770 surrenders to Fragokastello domicile Turks.
Those, wanting to arrest others Sfakiots chieftains, defaulting on their word, use it as bait and force him to conclude an agreement and send false allegiance to his people. Sfakians accept and believe that once declared allegiance and to ensure the life of their leader, could be presented to the Pasha, and to bring the written acceptance.
So the same day 75 chieftains with Protopappa and 6 priests go to Fragokastello with 500 sheep as a gift. The Turks succeeded in their purpose and carry them all to Heraklion, where the other hung immediately and others tortured to death.
The curtain of revolution falls dramatically to 17 June 1771, where the Turks flayed with the razors Daskalogianni in public view. The proud Sfakianos, suffered horrible martyrdom with great fortitude, do not lose heart nor thin, nor even when brought in front of his brother Chatzisgouromalli, who went mad after the fact.
The revolution Daskalogianni, was the beginning of the revolution of 1821 and the sacrifice became a symbol of selflessness, bravery and freedom to continue the struggle of enslaved Greece until today. The state belatedly, wanting to honor the hero and the revolution of 1770, established by presidential decree in 2006 National Day of local importance for the island, the first since the June 17 Sunday. Statues of the great hero, there in his hometown Anopoli prominently on the central square, and Heraklion. Also in his honor has been given the name of the airport of Chania.
George Ksenoudakis was born in Ibro Sfakia. The best objective evidence indicating that he was born in 1816 and others in 1820, 1821 or 1823. At the age of 8 years old he saw his father brutally killed by the Turks while he led sklavaki in Egypt. As the slave acquired French Mercier and together with other Greek children freed after ransoms were paid accordingly by the governor of Greece Kapodistrias.