Ο Στέφανος Κων. Ταττής (1825-1910) στη δομή της κοινωνίας της τουρκοκρατούμενης Θεσσαλονίκης (19ος αι.)

Abstract

This study presents many aspects of the life and activities of Stephanos
Constantine Tattis (1825-1910), one of the prominent citizens of Thessaloniki.
He was the son of Constantine P. Tattis (1787-1864), member of Philiki Etaireia in Makedonia in the period before the Greek Revolution (1819-1821).
Early in the study, his childhood yeai s as well as his family life is presented
rather briefly. The information here is scanty. Later, the settlement of the
Tattis family in Thessaloniki is described (1832). The family originated in
Vythkouki, Korytsa (now in southern Albania) and the main occupation
was tobacco trade that was quite successful. They moved first to Megarovo
(near the now Yugoslavian City of Bitola) in 1825 and finally to Thessaloniki in order to avoid Turkish persecution and bandits in the area.
In Thessaloniki, Stephanos C. Tattis became involved with reactivation
of the Greek community under very difficult circumstances of the last century. He made endless efforts to keep the national Greek unity and to help rise the Greek patriotic sentiment. At the sametime, the study details the sti ucture of the Greek society in Thessaloniki in that period. The upper layer was made essentially from two balanced tendencies of individuals with common national and social ideals but also with common financial interests. In contrast, all the others (middle and lower classes) were considered popular mob. The analysis is always made in relation with the repercussions to the oppressed Greeks of the revolutionary
events in the wider area of Macedonia (1854, 1878, 1904-8). Stephanos Tattis had embraced the idea that massive involvement in the
activities of the community and the Church was very helpful for the national cause. The involvement included the activities of the various Associations that sprang at the time (1855-Tanzimat) as a result of some relaxation by the Ottoman authorities who were pressured by the western powers after the Crimean War (1854-56). These associations drew closer together, the Greek ranks.

The study describes with good references and after persistent search of
the sources, the contributions of Stephanos Tattis to the foundation of the Associations as well as of organizations of social welfare, especially after 1821. Such were the Philoptohos Adelphotis of Men (Men’s Sorority for the Friends
of the Poor), the parish committees in the Church of St. Athanasius, of the Hospital, of the Cemetery, etc.
His involvement in these organizations made them advance theii function
and it was very helpful for the national and social cause. The helenism of Macedonia came thus closer together in the Greek Community, the Bishopry, and the welfare organizations where the oppressed Greeks found relief as well as understanding for the solution of their bigger problems. In 1876, during the crucial period for the Hellenism, Stephanos Tattis accepted his election as representative of the Greek Council of Elders of Thessaloniki and entered the Ottoman Parliament in Constantinople as Deputy of the Greek Community. Further down in the study, there is ample discussion of Stephanos Tattis’ great effort for the recognition of the Greek language by the Turkish administration as equal to the Turkish. Moreover, his endless struggle to boost the morale of the Greeks is noted as well as their fighting predisposition against two front efforts, that is against the Turks and the Bulgars.

Finally, a good deal of information about his involvement with the administration of the Greek Community of Thessaloniki is presented. He represented the Community for at least 25 years verifying at the sametime, the sources of information. In 1891, he was elected again as Elder of Thessaloniki in recognition of his contribution to the national cause.

Stephanos Tattis devoted his effort for the safeguarding of the unity of
Hellenism and the liberation of Greek areas during the early period (1880-
1904). The Macedonian struggle finds him ready. Despite his age, he helped actively with all disposable means, morally and materially, the Organzation. He did not, however, enjoy the day of liberation of his beloved Thessaloniki and of Macedonia (1912-13) from the Turks because during the summer of 1910, suffering from an incurable, at that time, disease, he put an end to his agitated life.

The study covers all aspects of documenting and prooving the general
activity of Stephanos Tattis within the Society of the Turkish occupied
Thessaloniki during the 19th Century.