Page 113 - Beholding Liberty!

HALL OF THE TROPHIES
PRELUDE 5
The Coffer of the Society of the “Genos” [Race] (19 January - 18 July 1821)
Archive of Ioan. Papadiamantopoulos, document no 199 Library of the Hellenic Parliament
IOANNIS PAPADIAMANTOPOULOS
(1764-1826), a wealthy and well-travelled merchant from Corinth, was professionally active in Patras, conducting general trade and raisin trade, in par- ticular. In 1819 he was initiated in the Society of Friends and, due to the unlimited esteem he was held in by Alexandros Ypsilantis, he was appointed as member of the Directory of Patras and general treasurer of the Society’s common money.
As a powerful economic figure of NW Peloponnese, Papadiamantopoulos undertook to cover part of the expenses for the Greek insurrection under prepara- tion, offering 7.000 grossi to the «Coffer of the Soci- ety of the Genos/Race» on the 1st of February 1821.
PRELUDE 6
Great oath of the Friends (the Society of Friends) Archive of the Kopanitsas Family
Recognition code: GR HP_LHP A.4.1.5, pp. 6-71
Library of the Hellenic Parliament
THE INITIATION IN THE SOCIETY OF FRIENDS was associated with specific cer- emonial procedures, such as the ranks the various categories of initiated were appointed to, as well as the accompanying documents required to be ac- cepted in the Society, like the «certificate» of mem- bership. After the initiation, a financial contribution to the Society was made. The «priests», who be- longed to a higher rank, went through a more elab- orate ritual, which began with the examination and catechism and reached the final stage, the «Great Oath», in which the initiated swore before «true God» eternal faith and absolute secrecy towards the Society.
PRELUDE The preparation of the Struggle 113