The Grandson of Turkolefteri, Who Had Been Converted by Saint Arsenios the Cappadocian

By Despina Stefanidou

Kyriakos Syros [pictured above] is the grandson of the fearsome and terrifying Turkolefteri [or Eleutherios the Turk].*

Before he was baptized Eleutherios, he was a Turkish soldier and together with others of his group went to loot a church where Saint Arsenios the Cappadocian officiated.

The Saint perceived them coming and with the power of his prayer "marbled" them, made them a "statue" for an example and punishment.

Soon after he released them.

The grandfather of Kyriakos repented, converted, was baptized a Christian and was named Eleutherios.

But because Islam is a religion of "peace and love" his life was now in danger and being hunted he left Turkey, came to Greece and lived in the area of Giannitsa.

He visited Turkey much later with an entourage.

Kyriakos lives today in Evosmos (a suburb of Thessaloniki) and has a driving school.

And as our mothers taught us: "Jesus Christ conquers and all evil scatters."

Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.

* Saint Paisios the Athonite says the following in his book on Saint Arsenios:

As soon as [the Turkish soldiers] drew near, Father Arsenios raised his hand and said to them: "By God you are cursed and by me bound," and they remained motionless where they were, with the words he said to them. Then the looters began to repent and beg Father Arsenios to forgive them: "Forgive us, let us have your blessing, we recognize that we are criminals; release us to come and receive your blessing and we will become good people from now on too." Then Hatzefendis released them and said: "Throw away your weapons, we don't want weapons, and come here." They all got in line and laid down their weapons and then fell at the feet of Father Arsenios crying for forgiveness. At the same time, the women and children were also crying from joy and emotion. But because they had not let the few lads of the village fight them, Prodromos Eznepides was in great distress, because he wanted to break out against the Turks. He couldn't help himself, so he grabbed one of the leaders, the liveliest one, and was beating him. The good Hatzefendis released him out of his hands, saying: "I've forgiven him." The villagers then collected the weapons, loaded them on the mules and handed them over to the Turkish authorities, in Bereki (Agios Konstantinos).

Of these deserters, besides repenting and changing their lives, some even became secret Christians and left secretly with the Christians, with the Exchange, and came to Greece. And he who had been beaten by Prodromos Eznepides, had become a Christian, and was named Eleutherios from Suleiman. He also came with the Exchange secretly and settled in Giannitsa. In 1982 he was still alive. He was over ninety years old, and they called him Turkolefteri.