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Stefan VogorideA high-ranking Ottoman statesman
Country:
 Turkey |
Content:
- Early Life and Education
- Military Career and Battle of Abukir
- Political Appointments in Moldavia
- Exile and Return
- Governor of Samos
- Adviser to the Sultan
- Legacy
Early Life and Education
Stefan Bogoridi, born as Stoyko in the town of Kotel, Bulgaria, was the grandson of the revered Bishop Sofroniy of Vratsa. His brother Athanas and he were bestowed the surname "Bogoridi" (or "Vogoride") in honor of Khan Boris I, the first Christian ruler of Bulgaria, also known as Bogoris.
Bogoridi embarked on his studies at the prestigious Greek-language Academy of Saint Sava in Bucharest, where he replaced his Bulgarian name with the Greek "Stefan." After completing his education, he joined the Ottoman navy as a dragoman.
Military Career and Battle of Abukir
In 1799, under the command of Seyyid Mustafa Pasha (later Sultan Mustafa IV), Bogoridi fought in the Battle of Abukir against Napoleon Bonaparte. Despite the catastrophic defeat of the Ottoman forces, he miraculously escaped with his life.
Political Appointments in Moldavia
Bogoridi journeyed to Moldavia in 1812 with Prince Scarlat Callimachi and served as governor of Galatz until 1819. During the Tudor Vladimirescu uprising and the Filiki Eteria invasion in 1821, he became the nominal kaymakam of Wallachia and held this position during the Turkish military campaign against Alexander Ypsilantis in 1822. After transferring authority to Ioniță Sturdza, he returned to the navy as a dragoman.
Exile and Return
In 1825, Bogoridi was exiled to Anatolia. However, after the Russo-Turkish War of 1828-1829 and the Treaty of Adrianople, he regained favor with Sultan Mahmud II and was granted the title of Bey.
Governor of Samos
Bogoridi was appointed as governor of the island of Samos. He visited the island only once in 1839, governing it remotely from Istanbul. He renamed the island's capital as Stefanopolis in his own honor, but his despotic rule earned him the animosity of the Greek population. Uprisings on the island forced Sultan Abdulmejid I to dismiss Bogoridi in 1850.
Adviser to the Sultan
During Abdulmejid I's reign, Bogoridi became a member of the Tanzimat and an adviser to the Sultan. He is believed to be the sole Christian to have hosted a Sultan in his home in Istanbul after the fall of Constantinople in 1453.
Legacy
With Abdulmejid's permission, Bogoridi donated his home in Fener for the construction of a Bulgarian Orthodox church in Istanbul. The Church of Saint Stephen was eventually built on that site.
Stefan Bogoridi passed away in Istanbul in 1859. Today, his former residence houses the renowned Iron Church.
