O Agios Kosmas o Aitolos (1714 - August 24, 1779)

 O Agios Kosmas o Aitolos (1714 - August 24, 1779)

Born near the town of Thermo in Sterea Ellada, Agios Kosmas was a Greek Monk and one of the most revered Saints of the Greek Orthodox Church.

After studying at Mt Athos and in Constantinople, he returned and within the space of 20 years, he founded over 200 Greek Schools. He urged the subjugated Greeks, to send their children there to learn Greek, specifically Koine Greek, the language of the Church and so they can become educated.

This activity brought him to the attention of the Turks, Jews and Venetians.

Following the Greek Revolution of 1770, which was brutally put down and where the Greeks were betrayed by the Russians, the Turkish authorities began to pursue Agios Kosmas, accusing him of being a "Russian agent".

Agios Kosmas, also got on the wrong side of the Jews, after he transferred the day of business at the local markets in Epirus from Sunday to Saturday, thus causing them loss of income and influence.

In his later years, he would spend much of his time in the Epirus region where on August 24, 1779, he was seized by the Turks and arrested on the charge of once again being a Russian agent. Without a trial, he was executed via hanging in the village of Kolikontasi in Northern Epirus.

Agios Kosmas was officially proclaimed a Saint by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople in 1961. His feast day is celebrated on August 24th, the date of his martyrdom.

Northern Epirotes hold Agios Kosmas up as the Patron Saint of their persecuted region, their people and of their struggle.

Hellenic Patriotism