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→Military career
==Military career==
Constantine gained his fame during the [[Greek War of Independence]] ([[1821]]–[[1829]]). Unlike most other prominent figures of the War, he had never been initiated in the [[Philiki EtairiaEteria]] (Friendly Society). The Friendly Society, founded at [[September 14]], [[1814]] in [[Odessa]] by three traders, was mainly responsible for planning the revolution against the [[Ottoman Empire]] and recruiting supporters for it. Its founders being members of the [[Freemasonry]], they had adopted their methods of initiation, organising and assuring secrecy from it. By early [[1821]], it had gained enough support to declare a revolution. This declaration seems to have surprised Constantine, who was absent at Odessa. He returned to [[Psara]] in haste and was there when the island joined the Revolution on [[April 10]], [[1821]].
The island formed its own fleet of ships and the famed seamen of Psara, already known for their successful naval combats against pirates and their well-equipped ships, proved to be effective at full naval war. Constantine soon distinguished himself as a fire ship captain. Notably at [[Chios]], where on the night of [[June 6]]/[[June 7]], [[1822]] forces under his command destroyed the flagship of the Turkish admiral [[Pasha Kara-Ali]] in revenge for the [[Massacre of Chios]]. The admiral was holding a celebration, while Kanaris and his men managed to place a fire ship next to it. When the flagships' powder keg caught fire, all men aboard were instantly killed. The Ottoman casualties consisted of 2000 men, both naval officers and common sailors, as well as Kara-Ali himself. Constantine led three further successful attacks against the Turkish fleet in [[1822]]-[[1824]]. But during this last year, the fate of both Kanaris and his island took a turn for the worst.
