Vasileios of Dryinoupolis
Encyclopedia
Bishop Vasileios of Dryinoupolis (born Vasileios Papachristou, Βασίλειος Παπαχρήστου) was one of the most important religious figures of the Greek Orthodox church in Northern Epirus
of his time and member of the provisional Government of Northern Epirus (1914).
Vasileios was born in the village of Labovë e Kryqit (Labovë of the Cross) in Gjirokastër
district and became prominent figure, as bishop of Dryinoupolis (a region incorporating modern southwest Albania, centered in Gjirokastër).
In February 1914 Vasileios together participated in the declaration of the Autonomous Republic of Northern Epirus
and signed the declaration of Autonomy as a member of the provisional Government under Georgios Christakis-Zografos
. In the following months he was named Minister of Justice and Religion.
When, in September 1916, Italian troops entered the region, their first actions were to close all Greek schools in the region and to expel Vasileios to Greece. He later protested to the Greek Prime Minister. Eleftherios Venizelos
, against his unprovoked expulsion. Following the Greco-Turkish War
, Northern Epirus was acquired by Albania
in 1921, further preventing his return.
Northern Epirus
Northern Epirus is a term used to refer to those parts of the historical region of Epirus, in the western Balkans, that are part of the modern Albania. The term is used mostly by Greeks and is associated with the existence of a substantial ethnic Greek population in the region...
of his time and member of the provisional Government of Northern Epirus (1914).
Vasileios was born in the village of Labovë e Kryqit (Labovë of the Cross) in Gjirokastër
Gjirokastër District
The District of Gjirokastër is one of the thirty-six districts of Albania. It has a population of 56,720 containing a large Greek minority, and an area of 1,137 km². It is in the south of the country, and its capital is Gjirokastër...
district and became prominent figure, as bishop of Dryinoupolis (a region incorporating modern southwest Albania, centered in Gjirokastër).
In February 1914 Vasileios together participated in the declaration of the Autonomous Republic of Northern Epirus
Autonomous Republic of Northern Epirus
The Autonomous Republic of Northern Epirus was a short-lived, self-governing entity founded on February 28, 1914, in the aftermath of the Balkan Wars, by the Greeks living in southern Albania ....
and signed the declaration of Autonomy as a member of the provisional Government under Georgios Christakis-Zografos
Georgios Christakis-Zografos
Georgios Christakis-Zografos was a Greek politician, minister of foreign affairs and president of the Autonomous Republic of Northern Epirus .-Studies & early career:...
. In the following months he was named Minister of Justice and Religion.
When, in September 1916, Italian troops entered the region, their first actions were to close all Greek schools in the region and to expel Vasileios to Greece. He later protested to the Greek Prime Minister. Eleftherios Venizelos
Eleftherios Venizelos
Eleftherios Venizelos was an eminent Greek revolutionary, a prominent and illustrious statesman as well as a charismatic leader in the early 20th century. Elected several times as Prime Minister of Greece and served from 1910 to 1920 and from 1928 to 1932...
, against his unprovoked expulsion. Following the Greco-Turkish War
Greco-Turkish War
There have been several Greco-Turkish Wars:* Greek War of Independence * Greco-Turkish War , also called the Thirty Days' War* Greek front of the First Balkan War...
, Northern Epirus was acquired by Albania
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
in 1921, further preventing his return.