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HADJINKOLAS FERMANIS AND MARIOU FAMILY( 1757 - 1821 ) The subject, HajiNikolas Fermani was born about 1756 and was believed to have been executed by the Turkish rulers in July of 1821 during the rebellion of Greece against the Turkish Empire. During his lifetime he was a well known leader throughout Cyprus and the entire region of the eastern Mediterranean . Knowledge concerning his life, his works and his personality was obtained by his modern day descendants from traditional stories of those times which were handed down from generation to generation and from abstracted inscriptions included in the icons and stone engravings from the various churches and buildings in Cyprus.. HajiNikolas was initially, and erroneously, identified as the son ofLavrentious, the First Diocesan Officer. This might have created some uncertainty for HadjiNikolas, his wife and family. Before the Lavrentious died, and with his last will and testament, he never mentioned the HajiNikolas as his son which strengthened the belief that HadjiNikolas was not his son but the son of his sister. The fact that HajiNikolas was not the son of Lavrentious was confirmed by traditional stories which tells of his father and mother dying at the time of his birth and that he was adopted by his Uncle, the Lavrentious. Various writings did not mention the HajiNicolas as the Lavrentious’ son. They mention the name of HadjiNikolas as "kinsman" and "escort" ofthe Lavrentious. For many ancestors of the HajiNikolas some very significant preservations were included on the icons that were dedicated in later years. He appeared often with the relatives of the Lavrentious including the Grandfather Lenou and the Markoles, in all likelihood the Lavrentious's sister.The Lenou Grandfather dedicated "with his special skills” many icons in the church of Saint Irene. By examining the period 1730-1790, the relationship between the Lavrentious and HadjiNikolas becomes clear. If the HajiNicolas was the son of the Lavrentious' sister and Markoles is the sister of the Lavrentious, she must therefore bethe mother of HajiNikolas. Upon the icon of Saint Lemriyou in the year 1790, as mentioned above, sixth from the Lenou and the Markoles, the priest Nikolas and the Markoles are related. The title "Grandfather" connects the name of Lenous with the Nikolas the priest. The name ofthe Lenou in another connection with the Markole as her husband and therefore that the HadjiNikolas is their offspring and that Nikolas was not the son of the Lavrentious's. HajiNikolas was often mentioned as the donor of the icons ( holy paintings) of the churches of Saint Irene and of Saint George of Karavas, Cyprus during the years of 1789 and 1790. He was in charge of the construction of Saint Irene Church and the dedication of many icons during the years 1790 thru 1824. The Lavrentious is shown as the man on his knees in the main icon of the church of Saint George in the year 1790. The uncle of HadjiNikolas had a brotherhood in the archdiocese of the Archbishop Kyprianou. Perhaps to avoid creating confusing questions about his relationship with the Archbishop Kyprianou and the uncle's brotherhood, the Lavrentious, his uncle, allowed his brotherhood to come under the control ofArchbishop Kyprianou. HajiNikolas and Mariou, as his wife, and their children are mentioned in Icons dating from 1789. Records indicate he went on a pilgrimage to the holy lands during the year 1799. Tradition says the first born son of this marriage was named Savas and that he attracted the fame and authority of his father. A descendent named G. Loizedies recalled his esteemed and fearless nature although the Turks were fearsome. One example was an incident when HajiSavas started traveling into Turkish territory when there appeared before him the armaments ( cannons ) and their commander. The commander warned him to stay away, but he drew his sword and with a show of courage, charged toward the commander. The Turks disarmed him and later gave his sword back to him after his followers apologized for his behavior. The spouse of HajiSavas, Koursarou, had the charm ofElia and was as notable as Lapithou, who was decapitated in July of 1821. Thus two large families were united with their marriage . By 1821, HajiSavas had a son, Loizes, who was six years old. The second son of HajiNikolas, HajiYianni, was of a good type and similar in character and spirit as his brother HajiSavas. HajiNikolas was engaged in commerce and trade with the countries of the Middle East and the states of Italy, Turkey and Alexandria. Trades often involved timber from the woods near his home in Karavas and around the church of St. Irene. These would be sent off to Asia Minor or Turkey. A large amount of wealth was accumulated in this manner and additional properties obtained in the name of the church. He was considered the First Priest of St. Irene, with his name engraved on the bridge of St. Andrew and other stones in the church. The authority that was given to the Greek priests by the Turks was very great. An order from the Sultan, known as the Fermanlees, gave him great authority and freedom to conduct business throughout Cyprus and the Middle East. HajiNikolas was a close official and collaborator with Archbishop Kyprianou and often met with him and others about the Cyprian problems. Inscriptions indicate he was present at the ordination of Kyprianou on Oct. 29, 1810.There is a scene shown in an Icon of a large estate known as Elias, with a statue of a lion in a meeting place inside the enclosed yard of the church of HajiNikolas. He often invited the Archbishop and his followers room to stay with him at his home in Lefkosia. Many volunteers gathered at HajiNikolas’ home to gather food and money that had been collected from the monastery of the Archbishop. The volunteers were to convey these to a ship which was drawing near to Kyrenia. The leader of this group was the Archbishop Meletious. It isn’t certain how much HajiNikolas was an active member ofthe Secret Society for Greek Independence.He did conduct Holy Communion services of Bread and Wine for those present at St. Irene Church at these meetings. He was expecting that the announcement of the pending capture of friends and contributors of ArchBishop Kyprianou from Karavas and the neighboring areas would be made at the meetings to be held on July 10 (1821). Plans were made to proceed to Lefkosia (Nicosia) on Saturday and to delay this announcement to the next day. During another Holy mass at his home , the members and benefactors of the church were encircled by the Turkish Armies. HadjiNikolas and the entourage prepared to leave for Lefkosia ( Nicosia ) to meet with ArchBishop Kyprianou. He prepared his mule for carrying suitcases and trunks. After climbing his mule, they tied his feet. He saw a convoy approaching along the slope of the hill. His son Savas approached from above them. Never the less horsemen from a procession could be seen from a long way. When they were roughly half way on theroad with the Turk gave HadjiNikolas permission to talk to his son. The assemblage then hurried along with kin and family. Since they saw they were carrying the standard of the ArchBishop and they were obviously worried for the fate of the ArchBishop Kyprianou. Savas turned and hurried towards Karavas. The procession on the other hand moved toward Lefkosia on the road from Kyrenia and stopped at a sheltered area. HadjiNikolas observed that the ArchBishop and all in his party were led to the prison and were decapitated on the 13th of July (1821). One Turk who had befriended HadjiNikolas during a recent journey to Asia Minor, recognized him and wanted to set him free but there appeared to be no opportunity for making this happen and HadjiNikolas was captured. This episode gave grounds to the story that the escape was successful and that he secretly hid. A coffin containing his remains was not handed over to his relatives confirming the tradition that he was not beheaded. There was much interest in the age of HadjiNikolas in this year of 1821, HadjiSavas was at he peak of his age and had children. They were HadjiNkola’s grandchildren. When HadjiNikolas and Mariou were seen with their children in 1789 he should have been at least 32 years old. In 1821 he should have been close to 65. 15 July 2004 More About HadjiNikolas Fermanis and Mariou: Marriage: Karavas, Cyprus. Children of HadjiNikolas Fermanis and Mariou are: +Savas HadjiNikola, b. Abt. 1793, Karavas, Cyprus, d. Abt. 1875, Karavas, Cyprus. +HadjiYannis HadjiNikola, b. Abt. 1796, Karavas, Cyprus, d. Abt. 1875, Karavas, Cyprus.