Evangelical School of Smyrna
Encyclopedia
The Evangelical School was a Greek
educational institution established in 1733 in Smyrna
, Ottoman Empire
, now Izmir
, Turkey
. The school, initially an Orthodox Church-approved institution, attracted major figures of the Modern Greek Enlightenment. During the late 19th-early 20th century it became the most important Greek school in the city possessing an archaeological museum, a natural science collection and a library which contained 50,000 volumes and 180 manuscripts. The Evangelical School ceased its operation in 1922, when it was destroyed during the Great Fire of Smyrna
after the Greco-Turkish War (1919-1922)
.
bishop. It was originally known as Greek School , while its name changed several times during the 18th century. Finally, at 1808 the Ecumenical Patriarch granted the appellation, Evangelical School, by which it would be known until 1922. Financially, until the Greek War of Independence
(1821-1830), the school was supported by individual benefactors, who either offered money directly to the school or sponsored scholarships for student.
In 1747 the school came under the protection of the British
consulate of the city after the initiatie of the local merchant Pantoleon Sevastopoulos. Sevastopoulos in order to secure the school against a possible Ottoman confiscation managed to acquire the full protection of Great Britain, something that was recognized by the Ottoman Sultans.
The Evangelical School, was initially orientated towards a traditional, religiously centered model of education. However, it saw two progressive interludes, probably due to rivalry with the Philological Gymnasium, another Greek school of the city, until the later was closed down by force in 1819 due to conservative reactions. During the following years a number of progressive headmasters were appointed. In 1811, Theophilos Kairis
became headmaster and followed by Veniamin of Lesvos in 1820, both of them figures of the modern Greek Enlightenment and two of the most eminent representatives of the group of reform mathematics teachers from the Eastern Aegean
region. Especially, Kairis taught mathematics and physics, but soon he left the school due to the differences in his views with those of the school board.
At the late 19th and early 20th century Izmir was a major commercial and educational center of the Greek world. The city was home of 67 well equipped Greek school units in addition to 4 female schools. The Evangelical school during this period was the most important Greek educational institution of the city. Apart from the school itself it possessed an archaeological museum, significant natural science collection and an excellent library which, shortly before its destruction in 1922, contained some 50,000 volumes and 180 manuscripts.
The buildings of the school were burned during the Great Fire of Smyrna
(1922). In memory of the Evangelical School a new school was founded at Nea Smyrni
district, Athens
, in 1934 called New Evangelical School. On the other hand the educational facilities in Izmir are today used to house a Turkish
public school.
Greeks
The Greeks, also known as the Hellenes , are a nation and ethnic group native to Greece, Cyprus and neighboring regions. They also form a significant diaspora, with Greek communities established around the world....
educational institution established in 1733 in Smyrna
Smyrna
Smyrna was an ancient city located at a central and strategic point on the Aegean coast of Anatolia. Thanks to its advantageous port conditions, its ease of defence and its good inland connections, Smyrna rose to prominence. The ancient city is located at two sites within modern İzmir, Turkey...
, Ottoman Empire
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
, now Izmir
Izmir
Izmir is a large metropolis in the western extremity of Anatolia. The metropolitan area in the entire Izmir Province had a population of 3.35 million as of 2010, making the city third most populous in Turkey...
, Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
. The school, initially an Orthodox Church-approved institution, attracted major figures of the Modern Greek Enlightenment. During the late 19th-early 20th century it became the most important Greek school in the city possessing an archaeological museum, a natural science collection and a library which contained 50,000 volumes and 180 manuscripts. The Evangelical School ceased its operation in 1922, when it was destroyed during the Great Fire of Smyrna
Great Fire of Smyrna
The Great Fire of Smyrna or the Catastrophe of Smyrna was a fire that destroyed much of the port city of Izmir in September 1922. Eye-witness reports state that the fire began on 13 September 1922 and lasted until it was largely extinguished on September 22...
after the Greco-Turkish War (1919-1922)
Greco-Turkish War (1919-1922)
The Greco–Turkish War of 1919–1922, known as the Western Front of the Turkish War of Independence in Turkey and the Asia Minor Campaign or the Asia Minor Catastrophe in Greece, was a series of military events occurring during the partitioning of the Ottoman Empire after World War I between May...
.
Early years and Greek Enlightenment
The school originated as a church approved institution and was established after the efforts of the local Greek OrthodoxGreek Orthodox Church
The Greek Orthodox Church is the body of several churches within the larger communion of Eastern Orthodox Christianity sharing a common cultural tradition whose liturgy is also traditionally conducted in Koine Greek, the original language of the New Testament...
bishop. It was originally known as Greek School , while its name changed several times during the 18th century. Finally, at 1808 the Ecumenical Patriarch granted the appellation, Evangelical School, by which it would be known until 1922. Financially, until the Greek War of Independence
Greek War of Independence
The Greek War of Independence, also known as the Greek Revolution was a successful war of independence waged by the Greek revolutionaries between...
(1821-1830), the school was supported by individual benefactors, who either offered money directly to the school or sponsored scholarships for student.
In 1747 the school came under the protection of the British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
consulate of the city after the initiatie of the local merchant Pantoleon Sevastopoulos. Sevastopoulos in order to secure the school against a possible Ottoman confiscation managed to acquire the full protection of Great Britain, something that was recognized by the Ottoman Sultans.
The Evangelical School, was initially orientated towards a traditional, religiously centered model of education. However, it saw two progressive interludes, probably due to rivalry with the Philological Gymnasium, another Greek school of the city, until the later was closed down by force in 1819 due to conservative reactions. During the following years a number of progressive headmasters were appointed. In 1811, Theophilos Kairis
Theophilos Kairis
Theophilos Kairis was a Greek priest and revolutionary. He was born in Andros, Cyclades, Ottoman Greece, as a son of a distinguished family....
became headmaster and followed by Veniamin of Lesvos in 1820, both of them figures of the modern Greek Enlightenment and two of the most eminent representatives of the group of reform mathematics teachers from the Eastern Aegean
Aegean Sea
The Aegean Sea[p] is an elongated embayment of the Mediterranean Sea located between the southern Balkan and Anatolian peninsulas, i.e., between the mainlands of Greece and Turkey. In the north, it is connected to the Marmara Sea and Black Sea by the Dardanelles and Bosporus...
region. Especially, Kairis taught mathematics and physics, but soon he left the school due to the differences in his views with those of the school board.
Later period (1830-1922)
With the years the school adopted more progressive and rationalistic educational methods, as well as the teaching of modern mathematics and sciences in the 'Western' manner, which attracted at times the attention of the conservative circles of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.At the late 19th and early 20th century Izmir was a major commercial and educational center of the Greek world. The city was home of 67 well equipped Greek school units in addition to 4 female schools. The Evangelical school during this period was the most important Greek educational institution of the city. Apart from the school itself it possessed an archaeological museum, significant natural science collection and an excellent library which, shortly before its destruction in 1922, contained some 50,000 volumes and 180 manuscripts.
The buildings of the school were burned during the Great Fire of Smyrna
Great Fire of Smyrna
The Great Fire of Smyrna or the Catastrophe of Smyrna was a fire that destroyed much of the port city of Izmir in September 1922. Eye-witness reports state that the fire began on 13 September 1922 and lasted until it was largely extinguished on September 22...
(1922). In memory of the Evangelical School a new school was founded at Nea Smyrni
Nea Smyrni
Nea Smyrni is a southern suburb of Athens, Greece. Nea Smyrni is located about 5 km SW of downtown Athens, about 5 km SW of Kifissias Avenue, W of Vouliagmenis Avenue, about 6 km E of Piraeus, and NE of Poseidonos Avenue....
district, Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
, in 1934 called New Evangelical School. On the other hand the educational facilities in Izmir are today used to house a Turkish
Turkish people
Turkish people, also known as the "Turks" , are an ethnic group primarily living in Turkey and in the former lands of the Ottoman Empire where Turkish minorities had been established in Bulgaria, Cyprus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Greece, Kosovo, Macedonia, and Romania...
public school.
Notable Graduates
- Saint Nicodemus the Hagiorite
- Manolis KalomirisManolis KalomirisManolis Kalomiris ), was a Greek classical composer. He was the founder of the Greek National School of Music.-Biography:Born in Smyrna, he attended school in Constantinople and studied piano and composition in Vienna. After working for a few years as a piano teacher in Kharkov he settled in...
- Adamantios KoraisAdamantios KoraisAdamantios Korais or Coraïs was a humanist scholar credited with laying the foundations of Modern Greek literature and a major figure in the Greek Enlightenment. His activities paved the way for the Greek War of Independence and emergence of a purified form of the Greek language, known as...
- Nick the Greek
- Aristotle OnassisAristotle OnassisAristotle Sokratis Onassis , commonly called Ari or Aristo Onassis, was a prominent Greek shipping magnate.- Early life :Onassis was born in Karatass, a suburb of Smyrna to Socrates and Penelope Onassis...