TheThessaly rebellion was a Greek revolt against theOttoman Empire inThessaly (theSanjak of Tirhala) in 1600–01 led by BishopDionysios of Larissa.[1] Educated inItaly, and serving since 1592 as the metropolitan bishop ofLarissa (though he was based inTrikala, as Larissa was scarcely Christian), Dionysios had in 1598 sent a monk fromIoannina to theRepublic of Venice to urge the Greek community there to request ammunition and arms fromRudolf II, Holy Roman Emperor,Philip III of Spain, andPope Clement VIII for a Greek rebellion.[2] Orthodox Christian leaders had requested aid from Western powers in the previous years (i.e.in Banat,Himara, andHerzegovina). In 1599 or early 1600, inhabitants ofEpirus,Macedonia, and Thessaly assured the Pope through correspondence that they were ready to die for Christianity and asked him to rise against the Ottoman Empire, to save them from 'the relentless tyrant'.[2] Although the mission was deemed a failure, Dionysios was persistent, and began holding on to the poll tax and ecclesiastical revenues which in fact was to be handed over to theOrthodox Patriarchate.[2] Breaking out in the autumn of 1600, the rebellion was quickly suppressed, with harsh reprisal.[2] Laymen and priests were executed, including Bishop Serapheim of Phanari (who was later proclaimed aNeomartyr).[2]
Ottoman Empire.svg)