Smyrna was historically the first city to which Kytherians emigrated en masse, over the course of three centuries, from the late 18th to the early 20th century and until the Asia Minor Catastrophe. Abandoning the poor land of the island, the Kytherians sought a better life in Ionia. They settled mainly in Smyrna and its surroundings developing their communities carrying the customs, traditions and customs of their small homeland. Together they carried their faith in their patroness, Panagia Myrtidiotissa.

The presence of the Kytherians in Smyrna was intense in villages and surroundings such as Koukloutzas, Bournovas, Svdikioi, Mersinli, Vourla, Kordelio. In Mersinli, which because of its name attracted many Kythirians, it was decided in 1891 to build there the Holy Church of Panagia Myrtidiotissa. Mersinli is located south of Pounda (Alsantzak), near the port of Smyrna. The church was built of wood and rebuilt in 1903 with plans by the architect Konstantinidis, under the supervision of the architect G. The architect was the architect of the building, who built it under the supervision of the architect G. Petrokokinkou.

In the destruction of Smyrna, testimonies mention that... «In the district of St. Constantine, horrible crimes were committed by the Chetas. In the church of Myrtidiotissa in Mersinli, dozens of girls were strangled while soldiers trampled on the altar.» Sources also report that the church was used as an oil depot after the destruction of Smyrna.

In the book by Koula Kasimatis, «Smyrna, the Greater Kythera - Kythirians in Ionia, 18th - 20th century» one can study the history of the Kythirians in the Asia Minor city and learn details of their daily life, their commercial, social, political and cultural activity. The book is a real treasure. And it is also very useful for someone who wants to visit Smyrna today and walk through the neighborhoods where the Tsiriygians once lived. Of course, 100 years later everything is different, but it will certainly help him or her to understand the Tsirigot imprint in space and time.

The map below shows the outline of the suburb of Mersinli in Smyrna. Within this geographical area was the church of Panagia Myridiotissa. Today in the centre of Mersinli is the Atatürk Stadium, while in the neighbouring Punta there is still the stadium of Panionios, which has recently been renovated and is the home of the Altai football team.

mersinli

Here are photos of the time from the suburb of Mersinli

The Myridiotissa at Vourla

Panagia Myridiotissa was glorified in every area of Ionia where Kytherians lived. An icon of her that testifies to her worship in Vourla is today in the Holy Church of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary (Panagitsa) in Kaisariani. The icon (see central photo above) was donated to the Church of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary in Kaisariani on 3 February 1979. It belonged to Kyriakoula Charalambous, wife of Elias, who before her death told her brother Gabriel Robolis to give it to the church for the faithful to pray. It was made in 1816 and the silver of the icon was made in Hydra in 1818. The icon, apart from its historical value (since it is more than two centuries old), has a sentimental value since it was brought by refugees from Vourla in Asia Minor. It is celebrated on 24 September each year.

The settlements of Smyrna

At the beginning of the 20th century the Metropolis of Smyrna included the following settlements:
α) Izmir with 16 parishes
b) Karatasi (Karatas)
c) Quarantine (Murat Reis Mh.)
d) Daragac (Darağaç)
e) Salhane from the present-day İzmir (Izmir) Province of the homonymous Prefecture
f) Bayraklı (Bayraklı)
g) Holy Trinity (Turan) from the present-day Bayraklı (Bayrakli) Province of İzmir (Izmir) Prefecture
η) Bornova (Bornova)
i) Bunarbaşı (Pınarbaşı)
ι) Cockle (Altindag)
i) Mersinli (Mersinli)
(l) Naldöken from the present-day Bornova (Burnova) Province of İzmir (Izmir) Prefecture)
(m) Buca from the present-day Buca Province of Izmir (Izmir) Prefecture
n) Svedikioi-Archagelos (Seydiköy) from the present Province Gaziemir (Gazi Emir) of Izmir Prefecture (Izmir)
o) Jimovasi (Menderes) from the current Province Menderes (Jimovasi) of Izmir (Izmir) Prefecture
p) Prophet Elijah-Genesis.