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John Theodore Callimachi (born 1690) is the first Vlach to become Dragoman (=foreign minister) of the Ottoman Empire 1741-1758, followed by the nomination as prince of Moldavia 1758-1761.
His surname was Călmașul later changed to Callimakis & then re-Latinised as Callimachi.
His surname was Călmașul later changed to Callimakis & then re-Latinised as Callimachi.
His grandfather had been a small boyar in Câmpulung area of Moldavia named Vasile Călmașul, but family roots were in the Orhei area by the Dniestr river (now Rep Moldova) which had been a traditional răzeși (=military border yeomans) area.
Ioan& #39;s father Teodor had made career in late 1600s Moldavia becoming vornic (dvornik=chamberlain) & marrying Ruxandra Ghica, daughter of prince Gregory I Ghica (Gjika).
Ruxandra& #39;s brother Matei (Matthew) married Ruxandra Mavrocordat.
Ruxandra& #39;s brother Matei (Matthew) married Ruxandra Mavrocordat.
John/Ioan got his education in Lwow learning Polish, Latin & Greek & then was remarked for his intellectual abilities by prince Nicholas Mavrocordat during his 2nd Moldavian rule (1711-16) who then referred him to his son John Mavrocordatos who was then the Porte& #39;s Dragoman.
John Callimachi served since 1715 in the office of Dragoman, eventually being promoted to the top job in 1741.
He married Ralli (Ralița) Chrisoscoleos with whom he had 4 children - 2 of them married Mavrocordatos kids, 1 Ghica & his daughter married Michael Soutsos (Suțu).
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="😊" title="Smiling face with smiling eyes" aria-label="Emoji: Smiling face with smiling eyes">
He married Ralli (Ralița) Chrisoscoleos with whom he had 4 children - 2 of them married Mavrocordatos kids, 1 Ghica & his daughter married Michael Soutsos (Suțu).
At the end of his diplomatic career in 1758 he obtained for himself the appointment for the throne of Moldavia where he ruled for 3 yrs & then retired leaving it to his son Gregory.
He retired to Fanar at age 71 & lived to age 90. Ralița divorced him cca 1760 & withdrew as nun at Ciuru Monastery near Orhei.
Interesting that Vlach John retired & died among Greeks in his wife& #39;s city & Greek Ralița chose to do so in a small Vlach monastery (died in her 80s).
Interesting that Vlach John retired & died among Greeks in his wife& #39;s city & Greek Ralița chose to do so in a small Vlach monastery (died in her 80s).
Other than Gregory above another of Ioan Teodor& #39;s son became Grand Dragoman 1785-1794 & then prince of Moldavia.
His son in law Michael Soutsos (Suțu) ruled in Wallachia & Moldavia in 1783-1795.
His son in law Michael Soutsos (Suțu) ruled in Wallachia & Moldavia in 1783-1795.
One last word about John& #39;s older brother Gavril Callimachi who chose to be a monk from early age at Putna monastery. In 1740 at age 51 becomes archdeacon of Ecumenical Patriarchy then within months metropolitan of Thessaloniki until 1760 when 2yrs after his brother& #39;s...
...accession to the throne of Moldavia he becomes Metropolitan of the same jurisdiction.
He pastored Moldavia with great care & love (including promoting schooling around churches) until age 97 & is buried in the St George (now Old) Metropolitan Church he founded in Jassy.
He pastored Moldavia with great care & love (including promoting schooling around churches) until age 97 & is buried in the St George (now Old) Metropolitan Church he founded in Jassy.
splendid Greek NeoClassical style that Gavril Callimachi picked up there.https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👆" title="Up pointing backhand index" aria-label="Emoji: Up pointing backhand index">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="😋" title="Face savouring food" aria-label="Emoji: Face savouring food">
btw, there is no relation of NYT reporter Rukmini Callimachi @rcallimachi (she picked it as "nom de plume") with historical Callimachi family, but she is of Romanian origin.
btw, there is no relation of NYT reporter Rukmini Callimachi @rcallimachi (she picked it as "nom de plume") with historical Callimachi family, but she is of Romanian origin.
