Macedonia, a Greek land since the dawn of time, despite what some supported and support for political reasons, did not lag behind in the national struggles. She was, through her chosen children, also in the uprising of 1821, setting the example of resistance to the end to the cruel Asian conqueror.
The revolution in Macedonia was officially declared on May 17, 1821. Its pioneers were Emmanuil Papas and Metropolitan Constantios of Maroneia . The latter even performed the relevant doxology at the Holy Monastery of Esfimenos on Mount Athos.
The first serious conflict with the Turks, in Ierissos in Halkidiki, ended in a great victory for the Greeks. The Turkish Sultan Mahmut II, having decided to suppress the Greek revolution, ordered Bairam Pasha to move with 20,000 infantry and 3,000 cavalry towards southern Greece.
However, the Turkish Pasha had to pass through Macedonia. Bayram indeed moved with the numerous army. But then he accepted the appeal of the defeated of Ierissou, Yussuf Bey of Thessaloniki, to first help in suppressing the revolution in Macedonia.
Meanwhile the Greeks were trying to find a way to react. Emmanuel Papas went with his men to Polygyros. Metropolitan Constantios, however, decided to cut Bairam's road in the narrows of Redina, also known as "Macedonian Tempi", between Kerdylia and Holomontas.
The metropolitan, who had devoted almost his entire life to the preparation of the fight, gathered 1,500 – 2,000 men in the straits and waited for the Turks. There was no hope and he probably didn't even hope for anything other than gaining time.
On June 15, 1821, Turks attacked the few Greeks and soon prevailed thanks to their bulk, cavalry and artillery. Metropolitan Constantios was severely injured . Those of his men who survived fled to northern Halkidiki. Some fortified themselves in the straits of Potidea where they repelled the Turks.
The heroic metropolitan was transferred to Mount Athos. He struggled with death for months but finally succumbed in late October 1821, having managed to delay the Turks. The latter, according to the custom of the tribe, broke out in the surrounding villages slaughtering, burning and looting. The Turks destroyed 42 villages and settlements...
The banner of the Macedonian fighters.