Turkish reprisals in the 1821 Greek insurrection

Abstract

The Greek insurrection in 1821., which lasted for several years, giving the Porte a lot of trouble, was not without consequence for Serbs in Turkey. The Greek national liberation movement against the Turks began at the end of the XVIII century with a secret organization, known as Heteria, which developed into a revolution by 1821. winning followers among the Balkan peoples subjugated by the Turks. By joining the Greek struggle, they had hoped to achieve liberation for themselves. Heteria had centers were set up in Ponisavlje, Nis and most probably in Pirot, which were expected, with the support of Milos Obrenovic, to instigate rebels to actions for liberation. The authority of Bishop Melentije of Nis helped the town become one Heteria's most important centers in the Balkans. A secret revolutionary organization existed in Pirot as well, testifying to which are letters preserved from local notables, dating from 1816. According to information from these sources, the Serbs were generally merchants and craftsmen, in Nis. In addition to Bishop Melentije, there were head-priest Stojan Popovic, parson Djordje Cincarin, Mladen Ovcarevic, Golub Mutavdzija, and in Pirot, besides spiritual overseer Josif, who most likely spread the ideas of Heteria, there were Proto-syn-cellus Danilo, and the notables of Pirot were led by Hadzi Nesa Filipovic, who were connected with the Chilandar, and through it with the secret revolutionary organization in Nis.

Pobude hrišćana protiv turske vlasti početkom XIX veka na Balkanu bile su česte i masovne. Njihov uticaj na hrišćane iz pirotskog kraja bio je veliki. U radu je dat prikaz tursko-hrišćankih odnosa iz tog vremena.