Agios Thomas (
Greek
Greek may refer to:
Greece
Anything of, from, or related to Greece, a country in Southern Europe:
*Greeks, an ethnic group.
*Greek language, a branch of the Indo-European language family.
**Proto-Greek language, the assumed last common ancestor ...
: Άγιος Θωμάς, before 1929: Λιάτανη - ''Liatani''
[Name changes of settlements in Greece]
/ref>) is a village in Boeotia
Boeotia ( ), sometimes Latinized as Boiotia or Beotia ( el, Βοιωτία; modern: ; ancient: ), formerly known as Cadmeis, is one of the regional units of Greece. It is part of the region of Central Greece. Its capital is Livadeia, and its ...
, Greece
Greece,, or , romanized: ', officially the Hellenic Republic, is a country in Southeast Europe. It is situated on the southern tip of the Balkans, and is located at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa. Greece shares land borders ...
. It is a community of Tanagra
Tanagra ( el, Τανάγρα) is a town and a municipality north of Athens in Boeotia, Greece. The seat of the municipality is the town Schimatari. It is not far from Thebes, and it was noted in antiquity for the figurines named after it. The ...
municipality, near Athens
Athens ( ; el, Αθήνα, Athína ; grc, Ἀθῆναι, Athênai (pl.) ) is both the capital and largest city of Greece. With a population close to four million, it is also the seventh largest city in the European Union. Athens dominates ...
. The community has an area of 39.262 km2.
Infrastructure
Community holds a 6-year primary school, 2 kindergartens, open care center for the elderly, regional clinic, private dentistry and pharmacy. The central orthodox temple is dedicated to the Nativity of Mary (Genession of Theotokos), while Saint Thomas is the Patron Saint of the village
Name
Liatani was the name before 1929. Several theories exist for its etymology:
*Without being documented, it is said that the first resident of the district was a wealthy land owner, named Liatis.
*A 2nd approach is that the name came from the arbanetic expression: " leaita nie" (kill someone), which was used by the soldiers at the revolution of 1821.
*The period that Hellas was under Ottoman occupation, arbanitic liapedes went out the district, the village took the name: Liatani.(Liapedes-Liapani-Liatani).
*Mavromati is another name, that George Syrmas (90 years old) in 1967 insist on, due to plethora of olive trees, around the village. ''Source: Folklore Collection of Athens University. (Eftihea Syrma 1967)''.
The name: Mavromati is mentioned in the book of Colonel William Martin Leake: Travels in Northern Greece, during his visit to the region in 1806.
Also the prefect of Thebes, N. Karoris at his report: 'Ekthesis incident, raising the month of April during the 1830' on the conflict with the Turks to lands on 19 June 1833, records the name or Liatani or Mavromati village of Livadia . (Liatani was under the jurisdiction of the province Livadias).
Source: ''Unpublished Documents relating to the final deliberation of the land in eastern Greece. Elias Papathanassopoulos''.
Economy
Inhabitants of the village were mainly engaged in agriculture and livestock farming since its establishment. Of course, supportive professions, such as blacksmiths, pedals, kitchen utensils, grocers on a scale proportional to the population, are not missing. Since the 1960s, when the Asopos basin is becoming industrialized, many young people are turning to industrial work, where they are mostly employed today. The main production of agricultural products is olive oil from the olive groves of the village, as edible roots such as potatoes and carrots. In recent years, new crops have also been tested: cotton, tobacco and pomegranates
Statistics
Sights
*hill with necropolis of ancient Tanagras.
*Agios Thomas chapel at Asopus river, του 12th ce.
*Cave with the wreath and Liataniotisa Chapel at cave's park
*Prophet Helias Chapel and Big Well.
*Saint George chapel
*Monastery of Analepsis.
*Monastery of Beloved Mother at Kleidi.
Climate
History
Byzantine Era
By the 8th century AD the Eastern Roman Empire
The Byzantine Empire, also referred to as the Eastern Roman Empire or Byzantium, was the continuation of the Roman Empire primarily in its eastern provinces during Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, when its capital city was Constantin ...
, based at Constantinople
la, Constantinopolis ota, قسطنطينيه
, alternate_name = Byzantion (earlier Greek name), Nova Roma ("New Rome"), Miklagard/Miklagarth (Old Norse), Tsargrad ( Slavic), Qustantiniya ( Arabic), Basileuousa ("Queen of Cities"), Megalopolis ( ...
, had reconquered the Greek
Greek may refer to:
Greece
Anything of, from, or related to Greece, a country in Southern Europe:
*Greeks, an ethnic group.
*Greek language, a branch of the Indo-European language family.
**Proto-Greek language, the assumed last common ancestor ...
countryside from the Slavs, including Boeotia, and this ushered in a period of steady growth of rural population and at the major regional towns (such as Thebes in Central Boeotia). We can match this picture from Byzantine
The Byzantine Empire, also referred to as the Eastern Roman Empire or Byzantium, was the continuation of the Roman Empire primarily in its eastern provinces during Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, when its capital city was Constantinopl ...
sources with the results of our rural survey around Tanagra a whole series of small villages or hamlets was established at regular intervals of every few kilometres, datable by characteristic Middle Byzantine
The Byzantine Empire, also referred to as the Eastern Roman Empire or Byzantium, was the continuation of the Roman Empire primarily in its eastern provinces during Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, when its capital city was Constantinopl ...
ceramics found on their surface to foundations in the 10th−11th centuries AD. These continue to flourish into the next period of Crusader feudal conquest of our region (13th−14th century). The advantageous location of ancient Tanagra City explains the fact that one such village is founded only a kilometre from the ancient town, by the rural church still standing from that village of Agios Thomas. The church is Middle Byzantine of 12th century AD date, whilst the associated village which we discovered from widespread surface pottery in the fields left of the church, was occupied from the 11th−14th centuries AD (A. Vionis, Leiden). All the Byzantine villages disappear in the 14th century, and this can be related to the return of the Bubonic Plague and to the devastating wars between the Franks
The Franks ( la, Franci or ) were a group of Germanic peoples whose name was first mentioned in 3rd-century Roman sources, and associated with tribes between the Lower Rhine and the Ems River, on the edge of the Roman Empire.H. Schutz: Tools, ...
, the Byzantines and the Turks
Turk or Turks may refer to:
Communities and ethnic groups
* Turkic peoples, a collection of ethnic groups who speak Turkic languages
* Turkish people, or the Turks, a Turkic ethnic group and nation
* Turkish citizen, a citizen of the Republic ...
which left most of the southern Mainland of Greece
Greece,, or , romanized: ', officially the Hellenic Republic, is a country in Southeast Europe. It is situated on the southern tip of the Balkans, and is located at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa. Greece shares land borders ...
cleared of population, which either retreated to upland villages in each region or was carried off into slavery.
Ottoman Era
The first village tax records for Boeotia, in 1466, shortly after the Ottoman Turkish conquest of Greece, show vividly this absence of Greek settlements in the Lowlands and a small number of enlarged refuge villages in the hills of Boeotia. Eastern Boeotia with the large plains and plateaus around Tanagra is especially empty. To recolonise this landscape between 1400−1500 AD the final Frankish Dukes of Athens and then the Ottoman rulers invited large numbers of new settlers, from Albania, with the specific direction to locate new villages near abandoned ones from the previous settlement system. This is the origin of our modern villages at Tanagra (former Bratsi) and at Kleidi (Kleideti). After some 100 years of Ottoman rule, the peaceful conditions of the Pax Ottomanic saw population rise for both Greek and Albanian villages, as well as new village foundations. The Ottoman village tax record for 1570 shows this well. Modern Ayios Thomas has a more complex history; it is rather recent, and was founded by villagers moving out of the mountains between Boeotia and Attica at the end of the Turkish era and after the War of Greek Independence, in the early 19th century AD. Before Thomas though a village existed at its own site, called Kelmendi or Liatani, and further south a small linked pair of hamlets called Kinos or Ginosati, now deserted.
Liatani in Ottoman Occupation Era
As all Greek villages, Liatani fought against occupiers on the side of Captain Athanasios Skourtaniotis
Athanasios ( el, Αθανάσιος), also transliterated as Athnasious, Athanase or Atanacio, is a Greek male name which means "immortal". In modern Greek everyday use, it is commonly shortened to Thanasis (Θανάσης), Thanos (Θάνος), S ...
. He was born in 1793 at Skourta village (Dervenohoria). Dervenohoria enjoyed little autonomy and retained a small body of men combatants led by Skourtaniotis. He managed many defeats against the Ottomans of the area. His real name was Gatsis, but known as Captain Thanases.
Officer Ioannis Kiokes Ioannis or Ioannes ( el, Ιωάννης), shortened to Giannis or Yannis (Γιάννης) is a Greek given name cognate with Johannes and John and the Arabic name Yahya . Notable people with the name include:
* Ioannis I, Tzimiskis, Byzantine Emper ...
from Liatani fought on the side of Skourtnaniotis. He honored by medal of cross and generosity from our country. He participated also, at the battle of Arachova
Arachova ( el, Αράχωβα, also Αράχοβα) is a mountain town and a former municipality in the western part of Boeotia. Since the 2011 local government reform it is a municipal unit, part of the municipality Distomo-Arachova-Antikyra. ...
, under chief Georgios Karaiskakis
Georgios Karaiskakis ( el, Γεώργιος Καραϊσκάκης), born Georgios Karaiskos ( el, Γεώργιος Καραΐσκος; 1782 – 1827), was a famous Greece, Greek military commander and a leader of the Greek War of Independence.
...
. He died in Liatani. He was granted the rank of 2nd lieutenant by Royal Decree of 20 May 1838, as a reward for the struggle of independence and his offer during the plague in Poros island.
Ioannis Koubitsas Ioannis or Ioannes ( el, Ιωάννης), shortened to Giannis or Yannis (Γιάννης) is a Greek given name cognate with Johannes and John and the Arabic name Yahya . Notable people with the name include:
* Ioannis I, Tzimiskis, Byzantine Emper ...
is another officer of Skourtaniotis from Liatani. He was renowned for wisdom and courage. He served under the command of Gardikiotis at Jamalas Papakostas's insurgency in 1848, at Palaiokastro of Phthiotis
Phthiotis ( el, Φθιώτιδα, ''Fthiótida'', ; ancient Greek and Katharevousa: Φθιῶτις) is one of the regional units of Greece. It is part of the administrative region of Central Greece. The capital is the city of Lamia. It is borde ...
and killed in a clash between government troops and rebels.
Ηistorical Τimeline
*1821. -July. Pasha Omer Vryonis from Eboea came in Liatani with 3000 men to help the Turks in Athens, where they had run out of food. Liatani was 9 hours away from Athens. 700 Athenians were resisting, but finally went backwards. On 20 July Omer Vryonis conquers Athens.[ istory of Athens. Dionysios Sourmelis, 1853. 2nd edition/ref>
Michalis Economou in the files of Greek History says: Vryonis passed byAulis and Tanagra to support the Turks besieged the Acropolis. On June 17 overnights in Liatani and attacks the body of Vasilis Chatzimeletis, which had arrived in the village to ward off the invasion of Athens.
The same issue mentioned Capt. John E. Nouchakes by moving the date to July 29, 1821.][ reek Chorographia, geography, history, population statistics and distances, 1901. 3rd edition. John Nouchakes/ref>
*1827. -January. Vassos Mavrovouniotis heads from Hasia to Boeotia and fights in Liatani against Ottoman army corps that came to aid Kioutachis. He manages to defeat them and delay the supply of Athens][ thanasios Chrysologis (1876). Biography of Vasos Mavrovouniotis. Athens: VARVARIGOS BROS./ref>
*1832. -6(18 former calendae) December. Residents of Ayios Thomas, following Thebes's county residents, undersigned the landowners complain to the competent authorities and the entire enlightened world to an unacceptable action by the Ottoman inhabitants of Euboea to sell out national land to foreign investors. ''Source: General Archives, Historical file of Mr. Athanasios Kyriakos, former secretary of Kleidi's Community.''
*1835. -8 April. Formed by royal decree the Municipality of Tanagra at Thebes Province, having capital the village Liatais. The decree was not published in the Government Gazette. Ranked in third class with a population of 1287 inhabitants, and the initial establishment:( Liatais: 324, bratsi: 122, Schimatari: 280, Inia: 61, Kakosalesi: 327, Bouga: 39, Koloteti: 129).][ istory of Greek municipalities 1833−1912, Eleftherios C. Skiadas/ref>][ AK.Oth arch.Yp.Es.F113, Ad N.23801/ref>
*1903. -29 March. Female school is established in Liatani. Published by royal decree GG: 54/1903
*1912. -31 August. Establishment of community, located in the settlement Liatani at prefecture of Attica and Boeotia. Gov. 262A - 31 August 1912.
*1914. -4 October. Strong earthquake which was felt throughout the province, removes most of the houses in the village. Community president: Aristides Papaconstantinou and the police officer: Andreas Aggelakopoulos accused by the villagers for discriminatory allocation of state aid.
*1921. -9 October. Corporals Stephanos John Papageorgiou and Theodorou S.I. included in the names of the piers of the XIII division in battles of Sagarious, announced the press office of the Greek government.
*1929. -30 April. Alteration of the toponymic Liatani in hitherto known: Ayios Thomas.][
*1941. -19 February. Corporal Paul Spyridon Georgiadis killed in the battle of Pestanis. He belonged to the 34th Infantry Regiment. Born in Ayios Thomas Thebes in 1918.
*1941. -7 March. Soldier Papadedes Christou Evangelos killed in Metzgkorani Tepeleniou . He belonged to the 67th Infantry Regiment. Born in Ayios Thomas Thebes in 1913.
*1941. -20 May. Soldier Kokosis Michael Dimitris killed in the Battle of Crete, Skine Chania. He belonged to the 7th center of prisoners. Born in Ayios Thomas Thebes in 1906.
*1942. -11 February. Aris Velouchiotis leaves in Liatani part of his soldiers under the commands of Tzavelas. Velouchitis with Orestes, Pelopidas, Leondas and Gardikiotis drive to the Fili Monastery(Xasia). There they dressed with priest clothes(rasa). Having their weapons hidden beneath the rasa, go down to Athens (Hadjipanayiotou, 1982).
*1942. -16 July. WO John Georgiadis killed on 16 July 1942, arranged in service (mission bombing), near the airport ETKOY Egypt by aircraft Hurricane.
*1943. -26 July. The community belongs to the prefecture of Viotia, after separation of the prefecture Attikovoiotias. GG: 223A/26-7-1943.
*1944. -14 February. Doctor Constantine D. Papadedes, 42 years old is slaughtered by anarchists - communists.
*1944. -20 July. Villagers: Aekaterinis Ioannis, Vougesis Demetrios, Gikas Athanasios and Hronis Aristides are arrested by Germans and held at Avlona's garrison headquarters.
*1944. -26 July. The village burnt by Germans][Agios Thomas Tanagras Holocaust]
/ref>
*1945. -5 December. The settlement Liatani is considered municipal department of Tanagra's Municipality with the law 25/5-12-1945
*1963. -11 May. Tragic plant explosion(ELVIEMEK factory) kills 4 attendants from the village: Kava Evangelia A. 17, Kotsoliou P. Catherine 21, Kotsoliou Theofani P. 16, Sterpi Constantinna 18.
*1997. -4 December. The community is repealed and consolidated with Dilesi, Kleidi and Oinofyta in one Municipality.
*2010. -6 June. The community is consolidated at Tanagra Municipality with the name Local Community of Agios Thomas.[ aw: 3852/2010 (FEK: Α' 87/7-6-2010)/ref>
*2020. -12 March. The community is designated a "martyr village" by Presidential Decree.][ residential decree. No. 32/25-2-2020 «Martyr Greek Villages.»/ref>][[“Martyr villages and cities” are Greek villages or cities which have suffered tremendous destructions from foreign invaders or conquerors during military operations in wartime. This designation is granted officially by presidential decree. It usually refers to villages/cities which have suffered destructions during the Axis Occupation (1941-1944).»]]
Gallery
Αποψη Αγίου Θωμά από το πάρκο της Σπηλιάς.jpg, Agios Thomas: View from cave's park
cave4l.jpg, Cave with the wreath
Agiosthomaschapel.jpg, Ayios Thomas chapel
Prophet helias chapel.jpg, Prophet Helias chapel
Olive trees at Agios Thomas Tanagras.jpg, Olive trees: the most valuable product of Agios Thomas in Tanagra
Πλατεία Ηρώων στον Άγιο Θωμά Τανάγρας.jpg, Heroes Square at Agios Thomas Tanagras
Nativity Church.jpg, Nativity of Holy Mary church
ΓλυφόΠηγάδι Πουσιλίκι.jpg, BigWell - pousiliki
Άγιος Δημήτριος στον Άγιο Θωμά.jpg, Saint Demetrios Chapel
Bithsiakouli stream.jpg, Stream of Bithsiakouli
Πάρκο Σπηλιά & ξωκλήσι Λιατανιώτισσας στον Άγιο Θωμά Τανάγρας.jpg, Cave's park with Liataniotissa chapel at Agios Thomas Tanagras
ΚεντροΑνοικτηςΠροστασιαςΗλικιωμενωνΑγιουΘωμαΤαναγρας.jpg, Open Care Center for the elderly
Αγιος Νικόλαος.png, Saint Nikolaus chapel
Notes
*2003 research from Leiden and Ljubljana universities under the supervision of Prof. Dr. John Bintliff and his collaborators: E. Farinetti, P. Sarri, K. Sbonias, B. Slapsak, V. Stissi, A. Vionis
*Unpublished Documents relating to the final deliberation of the land in eastern Greece. Elias Papathanassopoulos
*History of Thebes and Boeotia. Georgios Tsebas.
References
External links
General Village Site
{{Tanagra div
Populated places in Boeotia
Villages in Greece