Sophianos of Dryinoupolis
BishopSophianos of Dryinoupolis(died 1711) was aGreekreligious figure and Orthodox missionary in OttomanEpirusaround the turn of the 18th century.
Biography
[edit]He was probably born in the village ofPoliçan,in thePogonregion.[1]
At the time he became Bishop of Dryinoupolis (modern southwest Albania) the religious composition of the region was changing due to massive conversions to Islam.[2]
In 1672 he founded a Greek school in the local monastery of Saint Athanasios.[3]In recognition of the danger that Christianity was shrinking, Sophianos resigned his bishopric and became a wandering missionary, preaching from village to village.[citation needed]
Sophianos' last days were spent in the monastery of Saint Athanasios in his hometown Poliçan, where he taught religion and letters to the village children. Because of his pious character he was respected and honored by both Christians and Muslims. As a missionary, Sophianos is considered the forerunner ofCosmas of Aetoliain the region.[1]
Bishop Sophianos died on26 November1711 AD.[1]Although uncanonized, he is considered a saint in his village.[4]
References
[edit]- ^abc(in Greek)Άγιος Σοφιανός επίσκοπος Δρυϊνουπόλεως καί Αργυροκάστρου.Ορθόδοξος Συναξαριστής. 26 November 2013.
- ^Badlands, borderlands: a history of Northern Epirus/Southern Albania.Tom Winnifrith. Duckworth, 2002 ISBN0-7156-3201-9
- ^Epirus, 4000 years of Greek history and civilization.M. V. Sakellariou. Ekdotike Athenon, 1997.ISBN960-213-371-6.p. 316
- ^Albania's Captives. Pyrrus Ruches. Argonaut, Chicago 1965. p. 33