corfu crucible

8/14/2019 Corfu Crucible

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Corfu, Crucible of Change:Corfu, Crucible of Change:

A Multicultural Island of Masonic Revolutionary SecretsA Multicultural Island of Masonic Revolutionary Secrets

Sasha ChaitowSasha Chaitow

BA Comm., MA Eng. Lit., MA Western EsotericismBA Comm., MA Eng. Lit., MA Western Esotericism


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C7C7thth BC: Gorgon pedimentBC: Gorgon pedimentOldest stone pedimentOldest stone pedimentin Greecein Greece

Views of theViews of theCitadelCitadel(Old Fortress(Old FortressC12C12thth-14-14thth))

Abraham Ortelius,Abraham Ortelius,Teatro del Mondo,Teatro del Mondo,15951595

Strada reale, 1839Strada reale, 1839

(central street of(central street ofthe old town)the old town)


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Names of Corfu since antiquityNames of Corfu since antiquity

CorcyraCo

rcyra:: A nymph, daughter of the river AsoposA nymph, daughter of the river Asopos

FaiakiaFaiakia (Lat. Phaecia): Faiax,son of Corcyra(Lat. Phaecia): Faiax,son of Corcyra

ScheriaScheria: In the Odyssey, home of Nausikaa: In the Odyssey, home of NausikaaKoryfoKor

yfo: Meaning peak for the jutting peninsula: Meaning peak for the jutting peninsulawhere thewhere the

Citadel now stands: Citadel now stands: CorfuCorfu derives from derives from

Koryfo.Koryfo.

For the fast ships of the Phaecians have neither rudder nor captain,For the fast ships of the Phaecians have neither rudder nor captain,

rather they follow the thought of man of their own accord...rather they follow the thought of man of their own accord...

Homer, Odyssey, rhaps. 7, verses 579-585Homer, Odyssey, rhaps. 7, verses 579-585

Bronze Age coins found in Corfu. The two facedBronze Age coins found in Corfu. The two faced

head is not the Roman Janus, but probably anhead is not the Roman Janus, but probably an

aspect of the Corfiot Mother-goddess Dionysia,aspect of the Corfiot Mother-goddess Dionysia,

facing both East and West.facing both East and West.


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Emperor of ByzantiumEmperor of Byzantium

Manuel Komnenus IManuel Komnenus I1143-11801143-1180

Used Corfu as anUsed Corfu as anarmy/navalarmy/naval

basebaseBuilt fortificationsBuilt fortificationsEstablished SacredEstablished Sacred

order oforder of33 + 33 provincial and33 + 33 provincial and

citycity

priests (Lefteriotes), whopriests (Lefteriotes), who

governed religious affairsgoverned religious affairs

andand

influenced politics untilinfluenced politics untilthethe

1919thth centurycenturyChurch of Iasonas and Sosipatros (built c. 1000Church of Iasonas and Sosipatros (built c. 1000ADAD))Contemporaries of St Paul who ChristianisedContemporaries of St Paul who Christianised

Corfu (40Corfu (40ADAD))This is the oldest church in Corfu (still in use) andThis is the oldest church in Corfu (still in use) and


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Philip Cluver,Philip Cluver, Introduction In Universam Geographiam,Introduction In Universam Geographiam,

London 1704London 1704

1818thth

century depiction of the West coastcentury depiction of the West coastof mainland Greece, Corfu, and the Ionianof mainland Greece, Corfu, and the Ionian

archipelagoarchipelago

Emblems of the seven islandsEmblems of the seven islands

Clockwise from top:Clockwise from top:

CorfuCorfu

Zakynthos (Zante)Zakynthos (Zante)IthacaIthacaCephalloniaCephalloniaLefkas (Santa MauraLefkas (Santa MauraPaxosPaxos

KytheraKythera


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Scuola GrecaScuola Greca

synagogue (c.synagogue (c.

1717thth))

Interior ofInterior ofPantokratorPantokrator

churchchurch

(17(17thth century)century)

Catholic Duomo of St. James &Catholic Duomo of St. James &

St. Jacob (1632)St. Jacob (1632)Orthodox priests conducting processionOrthodox priests conducting procession

of St. Spiridion, Corfus patron saintof St. Spiridion, Corfus patron saint


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Aspects of the Venetian lion,Aspects of the Venetian lion,or Lion of St. Markor Lion of St. Mark

Views of the citadel (fortress)Views of the citadel (fortress)in 1486 and 1573in 1486 and 1573


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Early Eptanisiaki (Septinsular) School of ArtEarly Eptanisiaki (Septinsular) School of Art

Michael Damaskinos (1590) Nikolaos Doxaras (17th century)

The shift away from the traditional austere Byzantine style is evident in theuse


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Theatre of San GiacomoTheatre of San Giacomo(1661-93)(1661-93)

First used as the Loggia dei Nobili forFirst used as the Loggia dei Nobili for

private cultural and political discussionsprivate cultural and political discussions

among the nobilityamong the nobility

(1720) The first operas of the(1720) The first operas of the

Mediterranean were performed here and itMediterranean were performed here and it

became the centre of Corfus musicalbecame the centre of Corfus musical

traditiontradition

Corfu Town Hall since 1903Corfu Town Hall since 1903


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Adamantios Korais 1748-1833Adamantios Korais 1748-1833Scholar and writer, protagonist of

Revival and purification of the GreekLanguage. Almost single-handedly

inspired the Greek Enlightenment

Rigas Ferraios-VelestinlisRigas Ferraios-Velestinlis

1757-17981757-1798Scholar, poet, key figure of theScholar, poet, key figure of the

Greek Enlightenment andGreek Enlightenment andRevolutionary movement. WroteRevolutionary movement. Wrote

in the vernacular to get hisin the vernacular to get hismessage across to the workingmessage across to the working

classes.classes.

The GreekThe GreekEnlightenmentEnlightenment(Diafotismos)(Diafotismos)was more of awas more of a

Renaissance ofRenaissance ofideas,ideas,

philosophy andphilosophy andphilology:philology:EuropeanEuropean

EnlightenmentEnlightenmentprinciplesprinciples

merged withmerged withculturalcultural

patriotism.patriotism.


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NEWSPAPER,NEWSPAPER,being an ACCURATE ANTHOLOGY of the current, most worthybeing an ACCURATE ANTHOLOGY of the current, most worthy

and most accurate worldwide events, which with great effortand most accurate worldwide events, which with great effort

and care, and right judgement, have been gathered fromand care, and right judgement, have been gathered from

diverse sources, for the benefit of the curiosity of the manydiverse sources, for the benefit of the curiosity of the many

[readers] for whom we gladly publish.[readers] for whom we gladly publish.

Hermes theHermes the

ScholarScholarVienna, 1817Vienna, 1817


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Main European channels of influenceMain European channels of influence

Literary and Art Salons (Italy, France, Austria)Literary and Art Salons (Italy, France, Austria)

Masonic Lodges (esp. North-eastern Italy, Marseilles, and Russia)Masonic Lodges (esp. North-eastern Italy, Marseilles, and Russia)Quasi-Masonic patriotic organisations, including:Quasi-Masonic patriotic organisations, including:

Literary-Scholarly

(Masonic)

Rigas FeraiosVienna1790GoodCousins

Revolutionary

Masonic

Athanasios Tsakalof

Emmanuel Xanthos

Nikolaos Skoufas

Odessa1814Philiki Etaireia

(Society ofFriends)

Literary-Artistic-Patriotic

IoannisKapodistrias

Vienna1813PhilomuseSociety

Scholarly-Patriotic

GregoriosSalykas

Paris1809HotelHellenophon

e

CharacterFounder(s)CityDateName


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United States of the Septinsular Republic (1801-1807)United States of the Septinsular Republic (1801-1807)

Emblem and FlagEmblem and Flag

Ionian ParliamentIonian Parliament

BuildingBuilding

Ionian AcademyIonian Academy

Ionian BankIonian Bank


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Charter acknowledging the united lodgeCharter acknowledging the united lodgeBeneficenza & FilogeniaBeneficenza & Filogenia, 1815, 1815

Emblem of Phoenix Lodge (1818)Emblem of Phoenix Lodge (1818)

1815Pythagoras (English)

(1811) 1815Most Serene Grand Orientof Greece, Orient of Corfu

(1812) 1815National Grand Lodge ofGreece

1818

1843

St John and the PhoenixPhoenix (Greek)

(1813) 1815Bienfaisance et PhilogenieReunies (Greek)

(1807-1818)La Paix (French-Greek)

1809St. Napoleon (French)

1807Philogenie (French)

1741, 1782,

1806

Beneficenza (Italian)

The first Corfu Lodges*The first Corfu Lodges*

*Multiple dates indicate regularity issuesMultiple dates indicate regularity issues


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Ledger of members andLedger of members and

initiation certificates frominitiation certificates fromBienfaisance/PhilogenieBienfaisance/Philogenie

United lodge & La Paix lodge.United lodge & La Paix lodge.Members include prominentMembers include prominentand influential figures of theand influential figures of the

Corfiot sociopolitical sceneCorfiot sociopolitical scene

bl d b ld f h d ( b


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Emblems and buildings of the Reading Room* (Library,Emblems and buildings of the Reading Room* (Library,est. 1834) & Philharmonic Societyest. 1834) & Philharmonic Society,,* (est. 1840)* (est. 1840)

Organisations established, financed, supported andOrganisations established, financed, supported andrun by Corfiot Freemasons in an attempt to educaterun by Corfiot Freemasons in an attempt to educate

and cultivate the population:and cultivate the population:

1877Theosophical Society in Greece

1805

1881*

Public Academy of Fine Arts

(Public Art School)

1859Ionian Society (Arts, Letters & Sciences)

1881*Night school for illiterate children

1927*Astronomical Society of Corfu

1845Friends of Learning (Scientific)

1849Panhellenic Society (Literary)

1952*Society for Corfu Studies

1819Biblical Society

1816Society for the promotion and cultivationof the Greek Language

1807*Ionian Academy (University)

*still active*still active

d d h h l b f


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Count Dionysios RomasCount Dionysios Romas1771-18571771-1857

First Grand Master of theFirst Grand Master of theGrand Lodge of GreeceGrand Lodge of Greece

(Orient of Corfu)(Orient of Corfu)

I considered that the liberation of aI considered that the liberation of aClassical Nation, once the cradle of lightClassical Nation, once the cradle of lightand brightest civilisation, from the shame ofand brightest civilisation, from the shame ofsuch a long and humiliating enslavement,such a long and humiliating enslavement,would be the work of a brave soul, and awould be the work of a brave soul, and atrue Mason.true Mason.

Retrospective report toRetrospective report tothe GOdF, Zante, 1843the GOdF, Zante, 1843

Le Senateur DeputLe Senateur Deput desdesles ioniennes,les ioniennes,membre de la Legion dhonneur et. exmembre de la Legion dhonneur et. ex

Venerable, et envoyVenerable, et envoy extraordinaire de laextraordinaire de laRes:. L:. La BienfaisanceRes:. L:. La Bienfaisance

From a letter to the GOdF. 1811From a letter to the GOdF. 1811


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Count Ioannis CapodistriasCount Ioannis Capodistrias1776-18311776-1831

Minister of the Septinsular RepublicMinister of the Septinsular Republic(1802-1807)(1802-1807)

Foreign Minister of Russia(1813-1822)Foreign Minister of Russia(1813-1822)First Governor of Greece (1828)First Governor of Greece (1828)

Assassinated:Assassinated:NavplionNavplion

18311831

Signature inSignature inletter to aletter to a

fellow-Masonfellow-Mason

His homeHis homein Corfuin Corfu


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Vienna CongressVienna Congress of members of the Concert of Europe,of members of the Concert of Europe,18141814

Positions on the Ionian question:Positions on the Ionian question:

Trying to maintain balance, quietly supportive of giving theislands to Great BritainRussia

Saw possession of the islands as a major diplomatic problemItaly

Agreed to islands remaining a protectorate under Turkishsuzerainty; but considered giving them independence acasus belli

Turkey

Pressed for independence and eventually agreed to Britishrule on condition of Russian support

Greece

(Capodistrias)

Give the islands to the Kingdom of Sicily they saw theislands as a major diplomatic and administrative problem

Great Britain

Give the islands to Great Britain, or to Austria as part ofpreviously Venetian territories

Austria

Give the islands to the Order of the Knights of MaltaFrance

The Vienna Congress ended in a stalemate. A reluctant Great Britain wasThe Vienna Congress ended in a stalemate. A reluctant Great Britain wasconvinced to take on the islands as a protectorate in 1815convinced to take on the islands as a protectorate in 1815


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Nikolaos SkoufasNikolaos SkoufasEmmanuel XanthosEmmanuel Xanthos

Athanasios TsakalofAthanasios Tsakalof

Founders of Society of FriendsFounders of Society of FriendsOdessa 1814Odessa 1814

(clockwise)(clockwise)

Code used byCode used bymembersmembers

Banner and oathBanner and oath

(Freedom or Death)(Freedom or Death)Secret passwordsSecret passwords

Passwords andPasswords andoath remarkablyoath remarkably

similar to Masonicsimilar to Masonic

11stst DegreeDegree

(P i ) Al d Y il ti(P i ) Al d Y il ti


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White= Innocence (righteous cause)White= Innocence (righteous cause)& Brotherhood& Brotherhood

Black= Self-Sacrifice/Patriotic deathBlack= Self-Sacrifice/Patriotic death

Red= Independence and joy in battleRed= Independence and joy in battlefor the resurrection of the nationfor the resurrection of the nation

The Sacred BandThe Sacred Band

In this sign shallIn this sign shallwe prevailwe prevail

From our ashesFrom our ashesshall we riseshall we rise

Shown here in Sacred Band uniformShown here in Sacred Band uniform

Elected head of Filiki EtaireiaElected head of Filiki Etaireia(Society of Friends)(Society of Friends)

Leader of Sacred BandLeader of Sacred BandCoordinated early war effortCoordinated early war effort

(Prince) Alexandros Ypsilantis(Prince) Alexandros Ypsilantis1792-18281792-1828

Battle of Dragasani, 1821Battle of Dragasani, 1821(led by Ypsilantis)(led by Ypsilantis)


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Images of the RevolutionImages of the RevolutionCorfu ,1860sCorfu ,1860s

(Late Septinsular School)(Late Septinsular School)

Spiridon ProsalendisSpiridon Prosalendis

Warrior of 1821Warrior of 1821

Georgios MiniatisGeorgios MiniatisSouliotisses (Women of Souli)Souliotisses (Women of Souli)


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Europe in 1600Europe in 1600

Ottoman Empire (mauve)Ottoman Empire (mauve)

at its greatest expanse,at its greatest expanse,bordering with Austriabordering with Austria

Europe in 1914,Europe in 1914,

showing borders of 1912showing borders of 1912and Balkan aspirationsand Balkan aspirations

Corfu town Square 1821Corfu town Square 1821


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Corfu town Square, 1821Corfu town Square, 1821

Corfu Esplanade, 1935Corfu Esplanade, 1935

Corfu traditional bridalCorfu traditional bridaldressdress

Corfu townspeople, 1870Corfu townspeople, 1870

Corfu Crucible of Changes:Corfu Crucible of Changes:


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Sasha ChaitowSasha Chaitow

BA Comm., MA Eng.,Lit.,BA Comm., MA Eng.,Lit.,MA Western EsotericismMA Western Esotericism

Corfu, Crucible of Changes:Corfu, Crucible of Changes:A Multicultural Island of Masonic Revolutionary SecretsA Multicultural Island of Masonic Revolutionary Secrets

w.sashanonserviat.netw.sashanonserviat.net

[email protected]@yahoo.com

Selected Bibliography:

Anto nio s Ag io us, The U n i f ic a t i o n o f t h e Se ve n I sl and s withG ree ce (Co rfu: S tamouli s, 20 06)Co nstantin id i- Bib ico u H., 1953 . Les Orig ines d uphil hell ni sme fra na is , LHel l nisme Co nt emporain, VII/3John Fo rte, The Pa la ce o f St. M i chael and St . Ge o rg e: AnAnthol o g y (Co rf u: 1 994 )Mathie u G re net , La l oge e t l trang er : le s Gre cs dans laFr anc-mao nneri e mar se ill ais e au d b ut du X IX e s., Cahi ers d ela Med i teran nee , vol. 7 2 | 2 006Odysseus- Ch arl es Kl imis , The Hi sto ry o f C or f u (Co rf u:Typ othito , 2 002 )Dino s Konomo s, Dio nys ios R omas and the Hell eni c Up r isi ng , (Athens: 1 972)El eni Koukkou , Histo r y of the S even I s land s fro m 17 97 untilBriti sh R ul e: F i r s t Dip l omatic achie vemen ts o f Io an n i sKap od i str ias (Athen s, P apa dimas: 2001)Kourkou melis N iko s: Ed ucatio n i n Co r f u d uri ng B ri t i sh rul e ,(Athens: P ap ad imas, 20 02)Pana gio tis Kr itiko s, On Fre emaso ns, F re emaso nr y , and thei rSer v i ce to the Strug g le s o f the N atio n (Athens : 1971)Evstathi os Liako pou lo s, Fre emaso nry i n G re ece: A cri si s o fIdentity (Ar etha: 19 89; Co rfu: Io ni an P ub lishi ng , 2 009)Chri sto s & Antre as Ri zo poulo s, Ph ilh ell ene and He lle ne Maso nsin 18 21 , (Tetr ak tys 1 993; Athen s, Tetra ktys 20 08)Tzia tzio s E.St., 1 939. Le M ac don ien Grg o ir e Za li k i s e t la

Unp ub lish ed l etters ,documents and p hoto grap hs

corfu crucible

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