Bishop Chrysostom of Smyrna

Bishop Chrysostom of Smyrna was the spiritual leader of the Greek Orthodox community of Smyrna at the time of its destruction (August 1922).

He was born in the town of Triglia, Asia Minor - not far from Moudania - in 1867, the son of Nikolaos Kalafatis and the Kalliope Lemonidou. The couple had a total of 8 children but only two of them survived.

At an early age Chrysostom decided to become a clergyman and entered the Theological School of Chalki. He finished with excellent grades and was ordained a deacon by Bishop Constantine of Mytilene. The latter took Chrysostom under his wing first in Mytilene and later in Ephesus where he was transferred.

In 1897, Bishop Constantine was elected Patriarch of Constantinople. Chrysostom followed his mentor to Constantinople and was ordained a priest. There he wrote a two-volume thesis entitled "Concerning the Church" relating to the doctrines of the Orthodox Church.

On May 23, 1902, Chrysostom is appointed Bishop of Drama, a post that he will retain until 1909. Finally, on May 10, 1910, Chrysostom arrives in Smyrna as Bishop. During his tenure there, the First Balkan War and World War I break out. The Greeks of Asia Minor are subjected to persecution and many of them leave. Finally, in 1919, the Greek army arrives in Smyrna in the aftermath of the First World War and the Treaty of Sevres. The Turks, under Mustafa Kemal Pasa, resist and war breaks out.

In August of 1922, the Turks under Nur-ed Din pasha enter Smyrna. The city's Christian quarters are burned to the ground while atrocities are taking place in the open. Bishop Chrysostom refuses to leave his parishoners and on August 27, 1922 is mutilated and killed by an angry mob.

His statue adorns the central square of Nea Smyrni, Athens, where many of the Smyrna survivors settled.