1822. The assault was planned to have taken place at dawn on Christmas day in the hope that, unaware of the Turkish plan, all Greeks would have gone to church and would have left the fortifications unguarded. Nonetheless, news of what was prepared reached the besieged.
On the eve of Christmas, Ghiannis Gounaris informs the Greek chieftain Demetrios Makris’ secretary:
I am a Christian and willing to suffer for the love of my Lord. Do not wonder nor disbelieve in what you will hear if you see me accompanying the enemies of my Lord. My wife and children are under their power, and this should suffice to justify me in your eyes. The God of the Christians wished me to learn what the enemies prepare against His people and from early on every morning I wander like a hunter for the purpose of rescuing those of the same faith as mine. Run to the town and tell them that the enemies plan to attack tomorrow at dawn to the Eastern side of the fortification.
In effect, upon hearing what Gounaris had to tell him, the secretary left for the town and reported what he had heard. The defenders of Missolonghi mobilised immediately. They organised themselves without raising the enemy’s suspicion. A while before dawn, fierce shooting broke out. After three hours of combat, the Turks were forced to retreat.
When Omer Vrioni was informed of Gounaris’ responsibility for the defeat of the Turks, ordered his arrest, and when he saw that this was impossible, he had his family slaughtered.
Subsequently, Gounaris decided to leave Missolonghi and become a monk. He settled in the church of BVM the Merciful in Kleissoura (on the way between Missolonghi and Agrinio), and, after he took care of its renovation, remained there to the end of his life, offering water to passing pilgrims.
Picture : @ekklisia1821 | Garden of Heroes, Missolonghi 2021
Source: Spyridon Trikoupis, History of the Greek Revolution, vol. II, Athens 31888.
