HAROULA KRIEZI-SVIRIADI
THE HAVEN OF LIFE
JULY 2024
TITLE: The Haven of life
AUTHOR: Haroula Kriezi-Sviriadi
TRANSLATION FROM GREEK TO ENGLISH: Haroula Kriezi-Sviriadi
EDITING: Haroula Kriezi-Sviriadi
LAYOUT DESIGN: Myrtilo, Lena Pantopoulou
Copyright 2024 Haroula Kriezi-Sviriadi
FIRST EDITION: Athens, July 2024
ISBN: 978-618-205-624-0
Contact with the writer: hsviriadi@gmail.com
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright owner.
FROM 1826… THE HISTORY OF MY MOTHER’S FAMILY THROUGH TIME
In loving memory of Mitsi, Siva, Bella and Fofi
Dedicated especially to my children and my grandchildren
The children who had fled their homes grew up listening to stories about their Homeland. The older generation often shared memories, ranging from serious or humorous incidents, to significant or trivial events, as well as ancient customs, myths, legends, and everyday anecdotes, all about a world that had been lost suddenly and without glory. This was a world that had been sacrificed on the altar of the political, military, and financial interests of the powerful in their land. The experiences of my ancestors were imbued with a great deal of pain and nostalgia, and they lived in a society that was characterized by intense action and turbulence.
After discovering a deep passion for the lives of my ancestors and a desire to honor their memory, I have embarked once again on a journey to explore the historical context of the places they once called home. By delving into the history of these locations, I hope to gain a better understanding of my ancestors’ mindset, thoughts, and actions. Ultimately, my goal is to pass down a legacy to my children and grandchildren that celebrates the remarkable history of their ancestors and the rich heritage of their land. For anyone who shares my interest in uncovering their family’s history, it is only natural to wonder about the place and time of their ancestors’ birth and the societal conditions that existed during each era.
Fueled by an unyielding love and passion, I meticulously documented the joys and struggles of being a refugee. It was my sacred duty to preserve my heritage and to honor the legacy of my ancestors, which filled me with a sense of pride. Through my experiences, I learned two valuable lessons: to trust my instincts and to make rational decisions.
I am in possession of a wealth of family records that stretches back centuries, forming an unbroken chain that fills me with a sense of pride and emotion. By documenting these records, I feel a deep sense of duty and gratitude, as if I am resurrecting and reliving the lives of my ancestors on my mother’s side. As we journey through the history of Greece in the 19th and 20th centuries, we will also trace the path of my family’s legacy.
These were people who once lived in opulence and abundance, enjoying a life of privilege and luxury. However, their world was turned upside down as they were forced to leave their homes behind and face a living nightmare. They endured great unhappiness, unimaginable pain, and profound grief for both their loved ones and their country. Despite these hardships, they eventually managed to pick themselves up and rebuild their lives.
In the present day, it is crucial and urgent to have a comprehensive understanding of Greece’s cultural and national reality, which necessitates delving into its past. As memories tend to fade over time, this book is written with the future in mind, presenting true and authentic details that often go unrecorded in conventional historical accounts. These details may very well represent the personal histories of each one of us.
I refuse to let the people I have met, and even those whom I haven’t, fade away into obscurity with the passing of time. It is my ardent desire to immortalize their stories in written form, so that future generations can discover and learn from them. With my pen, I have documented the enchanted places that were the birthplace of my ancestors, for the departed live on in our memories.
By offering a glimpse into the past through the places where my ancestors once lived, I invite you to share in their experiences and journey alongside me.
As our contemporary culture increasingly embraces the past, this book serves as an ode to our heritage.
THANKS
I want to thank Vivi Lali especially, for her valuable help by providing the entire archives of Giannis and Perdika, of Mitsi and Kostas, as well as her parents Theodore and Bella, such as photos, family documents, transcripts, letters and more. Without her help it would have been impossible to record the lives of the family’s ancestors.
I also want to thank:
Vicky Georgiadou-Douka, for providing the archives of her parents Giorgos and Siva and of her brother’s Giannis.
Marilyn Van der Merwe-Finch, for providing photographs of her family and for sharing her life’s memories with me.
Andreas Grigoropoulos, for his valuable help during our research at the Chios Library and the public services of Chios island and also for providing his poems to add in this book.
Alexis Roukos, for filing and typing the Kosta’s-Mitsi’s correspondence.
Natalia Svyriadi-Roukou, for creating the genealogical trees in excel format.
Evangelia Neou, for her help in finding records at the Thymiana- Agios Minas Registry Office, Chios island.
The staff of the “Korai Library” on Chios island, for the disposal of the archives and codices of the 19th and 20th centuries.
The employees of the Court of First Justice of Chios island (Protodikeio of Chios island), for their help in finding the publication of the will of Sotiris Vagianos.
Dimitris Konstantas, a resident of Thymiana village on Chios island, for his help in locating the paternal home of Perdika Vagianou.
The members of the M.E.O.TH of Thymiana village in Chios island for the very cordial hospitality at the M.E.O.TH house and the tour of the village of Thymiana Chios.
Antonios G. Zambelis, President of the “Siphnians’ Asociation” for providing me with photographs from the edition “Siphnos-Guide of the Beautiful and Beloved Island”, by the late author Nikolaos G. Promponas- “Siphnians’ Association” Edition, Athens 2014. Copyright of Editor “Siphnians’ Association”.
Stamatis Vasilaros, for providing poems from his books.
Anastasios Tsamis, for providing poems from his poetry collection.
The late Andriana Levanti-Remoundou, for providing her poem.
Kostas Cl. Bairaktaris, for providing poems from his books.
The late Nikolaos Paizanis, for providing poems from his poetry collections.
Depy Vogiatzopoulou-Panagiotidou, for providing a book related to Asia Minor, Pontus and Constantinople.
Lena Pantopoulou my editor, for her professionalism and patience during the duration of this present edition.
Within this haven lies a treasure trove of invaluable possessions, yet it remains unattainable and unyielding ...
If I choose to abandon it, what excuse will I have to offer when I finally reach Ithaca?
Will I claim that I was afraid of drowning? and that fear prevented me from seizing what was rightfully mine?
StamatiS VaSilaroS from his poetry collection “Aplanemisma”
Chios island, 1860. Point of view of the city of Chios with the opposite shores of Minor Asia
PART ONE THE VAGIANOS FAMILY CHIOS ISLAND
A boat from Chios accompanied by two small skiffs, arrived at Samos and anchored, pausing to assess the situation.
(Traditional Folk song)
CHIOS ISLAND –THYMIANA VILLAGE
GENEALOGICAL TREE OF THE VAGIANOS FAMILY
KONSTANTINOS VAGIANOS IOANNIS VAGIANOS DEMETRIS VAGIANOS 1885
ARGYRO VAGIANOU 1913Thymiana-Chios wife Argyro nee wife Stella IOANNIS 1916 wife Stamatouka nee Georgios P. Goulas KONSTANTINOS 1916 Nikolaos and Marigo Pafilainas
AGGELIKI VAGIANOU wife of Antonios I. Fousfoukas
SOTIRIS VAGIANOS SOCRATES VAGIANOS 1860-1922 1883-1928
1st wife Ploumi nee wife Ifigeneia (1891-?) Nikolaos Fousfoukas
PERDIKA VAGIANOU 1886-1973
husband IOANNIS AP. RAFELETOS 1880-1967 (genealogical tree I. Rafeletos (1))
NIKOLAOS VAGIANOS SOTIRIS VAGIANOS 1891-?
wife Argyro (1899-?)
2nd wife Kyriaki nee ALEXANDROS VAGIANOS Stamatios Fidelis 1870-1940
ERMIONI VAGIANOU (1927-?)
ANTONIA VAGIANOU
MARIA VAGIANOU
PLOUMI VAGIANOU
(1) Genealogical tree of Rafaletos’family pages 78-79
Chios island map
CHAPTER ONE
Chios island
Chios Island is a naturally blessed paradise, a hidden gem of the Aegean Sea, offering aromatic scents and warm hospitality year-round. It has been a favored destination of nobles and sailors alike, famous for its production of mastic and sweet delicacies, as well as its exceptional climate and fertile soil, leading to prosperous cultivation and dynamic trade since ancient times.
Chios island, which comprises the prefecture of Chios along with the islands of Psara, Antipsara, and Oinousses, is the fifth largest island in Greece. The majority of the island is mountainous, especially in the north and center, while the southern part is relatively flat, including the fertile region of Kampos and the hills of Mastichohoria. The tall mountains, along with their deep ravines, create unique microclimates and diverse ecosystems.
Chios, the birthplace of great men such as Adamantios Korais, boasts the distinguished honor of being Homer’s hometown. It has a rich history that spans from prehistoric times, with exceptional cultural achievements throughout the ages, particularly during the medieval period.
Nea Moni is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an 11th-century monastery located in the central part of the island. It was founded by Emperor Constantine IX Monomachos and his wife Empress Zoe, and it features impressive mosaics and frescoes.
Mastichohoria, also known as the “Mastic Villages,” are a group of fortified villages located in the southern part of Chios known for their production of mastic, a resin obtained from the mastic tree.
Kampos is a plain located in the eastern part of the island, known for its orchards, mansions, and gardens, which date back to the 14th and 15th centuries when the Genoese ruled Chios.
The holocaust of 1822 refers to the massacre of the Chios population by the Ottoman Turks during
the Greek War of Independence. It resulted in the death of thousands of Chians and the destruction of many villages and towns on the island.
Chios island has a strong tradition in shipping and maritime trade. Its strategic location in the Aegean Sea, along with the entrepreneurial spirit of its people, have contributed to the development of a powerful shipping industry over the years. The Chian shipping companies have a long history, dating back to the 17th century, and have played a significant role in the development of the Greek shipping industry as a whole. Today, Chios continues to be a major center for shipping and maritime trade, with a large number of shipping companies and ship-owning families based on the island.
Mastic-the silver tear- has been an important source of income for the people of Chios since ancient times. The unique properties of mastic have made it a valuable commodity in many fields, such as medicine, cosmetics, and food industry. Mastic is used to make a variety of products, such as chewing gum, liqueurs, and desserts, and is also used as a natural remedy for digestive and oral health problems. The process of extracting mastic is a laborious and time-consuming process, but the end result is a high-quality product that is highly prized by consumers around the world. The cultivation and processing of mastic has become an integral part
Collecting the mastic
“The Haven of Life” refers to the family history of the author’s mother, through the very history of each place. All events that have happened through the centuries are real, proved by documents and archives found, which were researched in different places.
In the book we follow the roots and the course of the family, from Chios and Siphnos islands, in the beginning of the 19th century, the transition to Constantinople, life there and the consequences of the Greek population’s removal form the beautiful Poli, the prewar Athens and up to the 21st century in 2024, following the roots and the course of the family. Recording nearly 200 years of history and family life.
The family serves as the foundational cell of human society. From the family unit, larger groups of people emerged, forming the basis of the first settlements. As communities grew and developed, they laid the foundations for cities and states. Throughout this process, humans have perfected social aggregates, which are strongly bound by fundamental laws and principles. As the smallest unit of society, the family plays a crucial role in shaping individuals’ moral, cultural, spiritual, and humanitarian values. It is within the family that we find guidance, support, and strength, and it is from the family that we learn essential life skills and values.
Throughout history, humans have recognized the impermanence of life and have understood the importance of self-preservation and the continuation of their species. The instinct of self-preservation and the drive for reproduction are deeply ingrained in human nature and have been essential for the survival and perpetuation of the human race. The concept of descendants and the desire to leave a legacy are inherent in human beings. This innate drive to pass on our knowledge, values, and experiences to future generations is a testament to our understanding of the impermanence of life and the importance of ensuring the continuity of our species. I refuse to let the people I have met, and even those whom I haven’t, fade away into obscurity with the passing of time. It is my ardent desire to immortalize their stories in written form, so that future generations can discover and learn from them. With my pen, I have documented the enchanted places that were the birthplace of my ancestors, for the departed live on in our memories.
Unravelling the biography and family trees of the ancestors, it focuses on the peculiarities of each era, that were analogous to the events of the times mentioned. By offering a glimpse into the past through the places where my ancestors once lived, I invite you to share in their experiences and journey alongside me.
As our contemporary culture increasingly embraces the past, this book serves as an ode to our heritage.
