Prince Constantine received by His Grace Archbishop Sevastianos Rossolatos, Apostolic Administrator of Syros, Thira, and Crete.
During his official presence on the island for the bicentennial celebrations of Ermoupoli, Prince Constantine was received in a highly cordial audience by His Grace Archbishop Sevastianos Rossolatos, former Catholic Archbishop of Athens and Apostolic Administrator of Syros, Thira, and Crete.
The meeting served to honour the profound and inextricably linked Latin-Genoese heritage of the House of Zaccaria de Damalà within the Aegean. The Archbishop and the Prince discussed the crucial role of the Catholic faith in the family's survival; uniquely, the dynasty had preserved its Latin identity intact from the medieval era right up until the 1822 Massacre of Chios. It was the specific protection offered to Syros by the French Crown that allowed the island to serve as a vital Catholic safe haven for the Damalas family when they fled the Ottoman destruction.
Discussions also turned to the broader martial and spiritual alliance between the dynasty and the Holy See during the Smyrniote Crusades. They reflected on the legacy of King Martino I Zaccaria—hailed by Pope John XXII as the "shield of Christians"—who fell leading the papal galleys in 1345, as well as the protection granted to the exiled Prince Centurione III by Popes Pius II and Paul II in Rome.
The Bishopric warmly acknowledged Prince Constantine’s modern dedication to keeping both the Latin and Byzantine halves of his dual heritage visible and active. Both leaders expressed a shared commitment to fostering long-term collaboration aimed at preserving the unique, harmonious coexistence of Catholic and Orthodox identities that define the island of Syros today.
To ensure its precise historical nuances are accessible to an international audience, the Chancery has provided a complete English translation of the official press communiqué issued by the Catholic Bishopric of Syros below.
Visit of Mr Constantine-Paul Damalas to the Catholic Bishopric of Syros
In a particularly warm and cordial atmosphere on 26 June, a meeting took place between His Grace the former Catholic Archbishop of Athens and Apostolic Administrator of Syros, Thira and Crete, Fr Sevastianos Rossolatos, and Mr Constantine-Paul Damalas, the current Head of the historic House of Zaccaria de Damalà. This contact took place during Mr Damalas's visit to the island, following an official invitation from the Municipality of Syros-Ermoupoli to participate in the grand celebrations for the 200th anniversary of the city's naming on 24 June. The primary purpose of the discussion, beyond honouring the family's deep historical ties to the region, was to explore a strong desire and practical ways to highlight the brilliant legacy they possess in Syros.
During a highly engaging and interactive discussion, the Archbishop highlighted the significant Latin and Catholic history of the island. As was discussed, the fact that Syros was under the protection of the French Crown against the Ottomans allowed it to function as a safe haven for those who fled from Chios and Psara in 1822. This historical juncture was life-saving for the Damalas family itself, which had kept its Latin-Genoese identity and Catholic faith intact right up until the Massacre of Chios, from where it fled to find salvation in Syros.
The rich heritage of the House inextricably links Palaiologan blood and Genoese sovereignty in the Aegean with the Latin presence in the Peloponnese, where the family initially acted as Achaean Barons of Damalà, before gaining control of the entire Principality until the 15th century. The family's ties with the Holy See were historically strong, with a prime example being King Martino I Zaccaria, whom Pope John XXII recognised as a "shield of Christians". It is a historical fact that, thanks to Martino's naval vigilance and the victorious Naval Battle of Chios in 1319 against Turkish raids, the Order of the Knights of Saint John was able to secure its stronghold in Rhodes. This alliance for the faith culminated when Martino fell heroically in 1345, fighting at the head of the papal galleys in the Smyrna Crusade, with the official support of Pope Clement VI. Correspondingly, papal favour continued in subsequent centuries, with the exiled, last Prince of Achaea, Centurione III, receiving honorary protection from Popes Pius II and Paul II during his exile in Rome.
This historical retrospective was not a simple narration of the past, but functions as an explanation for the deep sense of duty that possesses Mr Damalas. It is precisely because of this heavy legacy that he draws strong motivation to support the works and places that were dear to his ancestors, and which by extension are equally dear to him. Regarding modern times, the family's presence was identified with the "Golden Age" of Ermoupoli. Mr Constantine-Paul Damalas is the closest collateral descendant of the visionary Mayor of Ermoupoli, Ambrosios Damalas (1808–1869). As there is no longer a direct line of descendants from Ambrosios, the current line of succession of the House derives its unbroken descent from his brother, Demetrios Damalas.
Today, Mr Damalas is active between Greece and the United States, taking care to keep both halves, the Latin as well as the Byzantine, of his unique dual heritage in full view. The Bishopric recognises that this conscious stance constitutes an exceptionally strong foundation for promoting the best interests of Syros—a place that hosts perhaps the most unique and harmonious coexistence of Catholic and Orthodox presence in the Greek domain.
Concluding the meeting, the common hope of both sides was expressed that this first contact will constitute the starting point for a long-term progression, with a central axis being the preservation and highlighting of the precious religious and cultural identity of Syros.
Ecclesiastical & Regional Press Coverage
The official audience was published by the Diocese and prominent regional news outlets: