The story of Saint John the Turkolekas, a neo-martyr and child martyr, is a poignant chapter in the history of Greece, reflecting the deep-rooted faith and resilience of its people. Born in 1805 in the village of Turkoleka in Arcadia, John hailed from a family renowned for their piety, patriotism, and heroism. His father, Stamatelos Stamatelopoulos-Turkolekas, was a notable fighter in the region of Leontari, while his mother, Sophia, was the sister of Theodoros Kolokotronis’s wife, further intertwining their legacy with the struggle for Greek independence.
At the tender age of 11, in 1816, John, along with his father and a companion named Anagnostis, found themselves in a perilous situation while traveling to Kythira. A storm forced them to land in Neapolis, Laconia, where they were deceitfully captured by the local Aga, Hussein, and subsequently imprisoned in the castle of Monemvasia. The situation escalated when the lord of Monemvasia sought orders from the Voivode of Mystra, who commanded the execution of the three captives.
In a tragic turn of events, John’s father and Anagnostis were beheaded first. When faced with the same fate, John was offered the chance to renounce his faith and convert to Islam. In a moment of profound courage, he made the sign of the cross and declared his intention to follow his father into the afterlife, refusing to abandon his Christian beliefs. His martyrdom occurred on October 16, 1816, outside the Church of the «Elkomenos Christos» in Monemvasia, where his blood miraculously formed a cross on the ground, symbolizing his glorious entry into the Kingdom of God and his place among the martyrs.
The heads of John, his father, and Anagnostis were sent to the Pasha of Tripoli, while their bodies were buried in Monemvasia, with the exact burial sites remaining unknown to this day. The miraculous cross formed by John’s blood became a source of inspiration for the oppressed Christian Greeks and a sacred pilgrimage site for the faithful.
The memory of Saint John the Turkolekas is honored annually on October 16, the anniversary of his martyrdom. A church dedicated to him stands in the village where he was born and raised, serving as a testament to his enduring legacy.
As we approach the commemoration of this brave young martyr, events are scheduled at the Church of Panagia Myrtidiotissa in the Castle of Monemvasia. On October 15, 2026, an evening service will be held at 18:30, followed by the morning service on October 16, 2026, at 07:00, celebrating the memory of John the Turkolekas, who met his martyrdom in Monemvasia in 1816.
