The Holy Ethno-Hieromartyr Platon Aivazidis (Aivazis or Aivazoglou) was born in 1852 on Patmos to Nikolaos, who was from Chios, and Maria. He studied at the Patmiada School and, at the age of fifteen, became a novice at the Sacred Monastery of Saint John the Theologian, where two of his uncles were monks. He remained there until the age of twenty-five. He then went to Constantinople, where he attended the Great School of the Nation and the Theological School of Halki, becoming acquainted there with the student Germanos Karavangelis. At the same time, he served as a Deacon in the Sacred Metropolises of Kastoria (1883–1888) and Lemnos (1888–1894).
In Lemnos, he was ordained a Priest and appointed Protosyngellos (that is, second in rank) by Metropolitan Athanasios Kaporalis. In 1899, Metropolitan Athanasios was transferred to Kastoria and took Protosyngellos Platon with him. Only a year later, he was transferred again, this time to Samos, and Metropolitan Germanos took his place, but he kept Platon close to him. During the period up to 1908, essentially throughout the entire period of the Macedonian Struggle, he faithfully served Karavangelis. He remained in the city as his representative during his extensive tours, cared for the restoration of women and children who had suffered, and saw to the proper functioning of institutions. The two of them together conducted the funeral and memorial services at the grave of Pavlos Melas.
After Germanos was removed from Kastoria, Protosyngellos Platon followed him to the Metropolis of Amasia in Pontus and to its seat at Amisos (Samsun). There, in the years that followed, an unprecedented work was carried out through the construction of dozens of schools, churches, and institutions in the Greek communities. Platon, once again as a trusted associate, assumed responsibility together with Bishop Euthymios of Zela during Germanos' tours throughout the province, as well as during his journeys to Constantinople.
He taught in various schools in the region and assisted in the Pontian liberation guerrilla struggle through sermons of awakening and material assistance. On February 4, 1921, the leading citizens and all the prominent members of the Greek community of Amisos were imprisoned, among them Platon, on charges of revolutionary activity. He remained for eight months in the miserable prisons of Amasia, encouraging his fellow prisoners. He was tried twice, initially receiving a sentence of seven years' imprisonment and later being condemned to death by extraordinary military tribunals, without sufficient evidence. He was hanged in the Clock Square of Amasia together with 68 other Greeks on September 21, 1921, the day on which his memory is commemorated.
In Lemnos, he was ordained a Priest and appointed Protosyngellos (that is, second in rank) by Metropolitan Athanasios Kaporalis. In 1899, Metropolitan Athanasios was transferred to Kastoria and took Protosyngellos Platon with him. Only a year later, he was transferred again, this time to Samos, and Metropolitan Germanos took his place, but he kept Platon close to him. During the period up to 1908, essentially throughout the entire period of the Macedonian Struggle, he faithfully served Karavangelis. He remained in the city as his representative during his extensive tours, cared for the restoration of women and children who had suffered, and saw to the proper functioning of institutions. The two of them together conducted the funeral and memorial services at the grave of Pavlos Melas.
After Germanos was removed from Kastoria, Protosyngellos Platon followed him to the Metropolis of Amasia in Pontus and to its seat at Amisos (Samsun). There, in the years that followed, an unprecedented work was carried out through the construction of dozens of schools, churches, and institutions in the Greek communities. Platon, once again as a trusted associate, assumed responsibility together with Bishop Euthymios of Zela during Germanos' tours throughout the province, as well as during his journeys to Constantinople.
He taught in various schools in the region and assisted in the Pontian liberation guerrilla struggle through sermons of awakening and material assistance. On February 4, 1921, the leading citizens and all the prominent members of the Greek community of Amisos were imprisoned, among them Platon, on charges of revolutionary activity. He remained for eight months in the miserable prisons of Amasia, encouraging his fellow prisoners. He was tried twice, initially receiving a sentence of seven years' imprisonment and later being condemned to death by extraordinary military tribunals, without sufficient evidence. He was hanged in the Clock Square of Amasia together with 68 other Greeks on September 21, 1921, the day on which his memory is commemorated.
Apolytikion
Tone 5, “Ton synanarchon Logon”
Most cruelly hanged by the lawless sons of Hagar at last for the sake of the faith of Christ, O steadfast Platon, Protosyngellos of Amasia, you were revealed as a model of pure Christian conduct and a true standard of courage. Therefore, honoring you, we all ask for your fervent prayers.
Tone 5, “Ton synanarchon Logon”
Most cruelly hanged by the lawless sons of Hagar at last for the sake of the faith of Christ, O steadfast Platon, Protosyngellos of Amasia, you were revealed as a model of pure Christian conduct and a true standard of courage. Therefore, honoring you, we all ask for your fervent prayers.
Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.
