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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'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's brother Matei (Matthew) married Ruxandra Mavrocordat.
Ruxandra'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'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).
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'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'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'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'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'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.
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.
