Zafeirakis Theodosiou (Greek:Ζαφειράκης Θεοδοσίου) (1772 - 1822) was aGreekprokritos (πρόκριτος), meaning political leader of Greeks during Ottoman rule, ofNaousa, Imathia and an important figure of theGreek War of Independence in the region ofMacedonia.
Zafeirakis was born inNaousa, Imathia originating from a wealthy family that gave him the opportunity to educate himself to the most important institutions of his time. He studied atIoannina where he spent most of his youth. At that time,Ali Pasha was ruling the area and valuing Zafeirakis' skills took him under his protection and later appointed him to administrate Naoussa when he extended his influence to Central Macedonia.
But Zafeirakis quickly opposed Ali Pasha's authoritative administration. As a result, Ali Pasha turned against him and he was forced to abandon his place forThessaloniki and laterMount Athos andConstantinople. There he was associated with Ottoman authorities and twelve years later he managed to receive an order from theSultan to return to his previouscommand to Naussa where he stayed until his death.
He became very popular to his fellow citizens by promoting local manufactures, especially those that had to do with weaponry, building schools, churches and road construction. Around 1820 he was introduced intoFiliki Eteria and came close withAnastasios Karatasos andAggelis Gatsos, assigning them to protect his area. He personally organised the liberation of Naoussa on February 19, 1822, becoming one of the first liberated cities in Macedonia during theRevolution.However, in April the Pasha of Thessaloniki himself besieged Naoussa with 18,000 men and two weeks later he managed to regain control over the city. Zafeirakis and his family lost their lives during the following pillage.