Greek Orthodox Archbishop who played a crucial role in saving thousands of Jews during the Holocaust, earning him recognition as Righteous Among the Nations.
Damaskinos of Athens, born Dimitrios Papandreou, was a Greek Orthodox archbishop who fearlessly resisted the Nazi occupation of Greece during World War II, earning him recognition as a hero and a symbol of Greek resistance. He served as the Archbishop of Athens and All Greece from 1941 until his death in 1949, and was also the regent of Greece from 1944 to 1946.
Damaskinos was born on March 3, 1891, in Dorvitsa, Greece. He enlisted in the Hellenic Army during the Balkan Wars and was ordained a Greek Orthodox priest in 1917. In 1922, he was made Bishop of Corinth, and in the early 1930s, he served as an ambassador of the Ecumenical Patriarch in the United States, where he worked to organize the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.
In 1941, Damaskinos was elected Archbishop of Athens, taking the name Damaskinos. However, Ioannis Metaxas, the dictator of Greece at the time, objected to Damaskinos and forced the cancellation of his election. After the German invasion of Greece and the fall of the Greek government, Damaskinos was reinstalled as Archbishop with German agreement.
Damaskinos worked tirelessly to resist the Nazi occupation, frequently clashing with the German authorities and the Quisling government. He refused to cooperate with the Nazis, and when they took Greeks hostage, he threatened to excommunicate any Greeks who collaborated with the occupation forces.
Damaskinos played a crucial role in saving thousands of Jews and Christians from persecution during the Nazi occupation. He used his position to issue false identification papers to Jews, allowing them to escape deportation to concentration camps. He also provided shelter and food to those in need, earning him recognition as a Righteous Among the Nations by the State of Israel.
Damaskinos' bravery and selflessness during World War II earned him a special place in Greek history. He is remembered as a hero who stood up against tyranny and protected the vulnerable. His legacy extends beyond Greece, inspiring people around the world to stand up against oppression and fight for human rights.
Damaskinos' resistance against the Nazi occupation took place during a tumultuous period in Greek history, marked by the Axis occupation and the subsequent Greek Civil War. His bravery and defiance inspired a nation to resist the occupation, and his humanitarian efforts saved countless lives.
Damaskinos' legacy continues to inspire people today, serving as a reminder of the importance of standing up against oppression and fighting for human rights. His story is a testament to the power of courage and conviction in the face of adversity.
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