Grigory Marazli: "to Give-so a million, to love-so a Queen". Part 1

The history of southern Palmyra is very closely connected with the Greeks and with Greece. Indeed, the Greeks worked hard for the benefit of Odessa, and our culture is best intertwined with the Greek. The Greeks have always felt very comfortable and protected in southern Palmyra. They were concerned about the colonization of their homeland by the Turks. People with an open and kind soul naturally flowed into our city. They are worthy of respect for their love of their Country, for their generosity and decency, for their enterprise and love of their culture.

Today our story is dedicated to the great Greek Gregory G. Marazli (1831-1907)

The only mayor (out of five) of those times who was born in Odessa and served in southern Palmyra for 17 years! No one was more than this term in office of the mayor of Odessa. Gregory Marazli not only increased the capital of the southernmost Palmyra, but also invested a considerable amount of his own capital in the development and prosperity of the city. It is interesting to note that for the rest of his life, Grigory Marazli spoke with an accent in Russian and confused cases. But this small moment is lost against the background of the huge activities, charity and achievements of this noble odessite with Greek roots.

Marazli Family

For a very long time, there was little information about the family of G. G. Marazli. Recent studies show that family history begins with his great-grandfather Constantine Kaisi from Saranda Eklisia. The Turkish yoke had forced Constantine Koisi to flee the country. The family settled in present-day Bulgaria, the city of Plovdiv. Previously Plovdiv bore the name Philippopolis. My great-grandfather had three sons, one of whom was Ivan.

Living conditions forced the sons to change their surnames after marriage. So the family of Ivan Kaisi becomes Marazli. This is a new round in the family history. The Greeks were always skilled traders. Ivan Marazli was also a fabric merchant. Things were not going very well, but there was a small income in the family. All of Ivan Marazli's sons were educated. One of his sons, Grigory Ivanovich, is the father of our mayor, Grigory Marazli.

G. G. Marazli's Father-Grigory Ivanovich Marazli (1780-1851)

In Philippopolis, Grigory Ivanovich attended a Greek school. But the main spiritual, educational and Patriotic inclinations were invested in him by priest Konstantin, who greatly loved the boy. Priest Constantine was an educated man and an extraordinary Greek patriot. All his best qualities he tried to pass on to his beloved pupil Grigory.

The family's trade in Plovdiv no longer brought prosperity to the Marazli family. They decide to move to Constantinople. But even there, things are not going so smoothly. Friends of the Marazli Feodoridi family contributed to the move to the South of Russia, namely to Taganrog. Under Empress Catherine, the Greeks easily settled the territory of Russia. Smart Catherine knew that enterprising, educated and hard-working Greeks will bring many benefits to the country.

Friendly relations with the Feodoridi family also become related. Grigory married young Titze (Zoe) Feodorovna Feodoridi. The family's business is growing. But it was based on the father-in-law's capital. Under Richelieu's rule, the family moved to Odessa (1803). Conditions for trade in southern Palmyra are becoming very attractive. In the family of Grigory Ivanovich, three children are born. The youngest child in the family is Gregory G. Marazli, the future head of South Palmyra.

Grigory Ivanovich is very successful in the grain trade, the family's capital is growing by leaps and bounds.

An amazing fact was at that time. This is known as cornersto (piracy) is absolutely legal way. With the permission of Catherine and regional managers, it was possible to capture ships (preferably Turkish) that were leaving the port of Odessa. The crew was captured, the goods were taken away, and the Russian flag was raised over the ship. Grigory Ivanovich also took part in such actions, which brought even more capital to his family.

Grigory Ivanovich lived the life of Odessa and took a direct part in the improvement of the city. With the growth of the family's capital, charitable acts grew Marazli and increased. Grigory Ivanovich helped raise funds against Napoleon's troops. He was an adviser to Langeron during the implementation of the Porto-Franco system. The customs Department was also introduced with its participation. Much was undertaken and done by Marazli for the water supply of southern Palmyra.

Grigory Ivanovich Marazli never forgot about Greece and the Greek people. He was a patron of the Greek commercial gymnasium in Odessa. Many classical Russian literature was translated into Greek thanks to Grigory Ivanovich. He was a member of the secret society of filiki eteria. Marazli stands at the beginning of the banking and insurance system in Odessa. He eventually owned many lands and houses in southern Palmyra. Marazli sponsored a revolt in Greece against the Turks, but it was not until 1830 that the Greeks were able to free themselves from the yoke of the Turks.

Apparently Grigory Ivanovich Marazli was so happy about this event that he and his wife were able to conceive a small heir Marazli in the same year. After all, before that, they had no children for 10 years. A lot can be said about the merits and activities of Grigory Ivanovich. But let's return to the son and future mayor Grigory Marazli.

Gregory G. Marazli – " Honor more than honor»

Only a worthy father can give birth to such a worthy son, which was Grigory Marazli. The father was already at a decent age (approximately 66 years) when the heir was born. The family was very happy! The boy Grigoraki grew up in care and love, in an atmosphere of goodwill. Only Greek was spoken in the house. Gregory initially studied at home. Training continues at the prestigious Knorre boarding school, then there was a Greek gymnasium. And after that, the young Marazli enrolled in the newly created Richelieu Lyceum and graduated from the legal Department in 1850. Then Grigory Grigoryevich was 19 years old.

At that time, even rich families prepared their children for life without hiding them from danger. The same fate befell the richest heir Grigory Grigoryevich Marazli. The father sends his 19th son to the Caucasus. For two years, there was a test of masculinity and courage, hardening and growing up of the young Marazli. He spent time with honor and bravery in the battles in Greater Chechnya. Returning home to Odessa, Marazli was very saddened by his father's illness. Soon, at the age of 88, Grigory Ivanovich dies. It was an ordeal for the young Marazli. In one person, he loses not only a loving father, but a friend and mentor.

22 years old young G. G. Marazli. He is the richest heir – 12 million gold. Over time, he manages untold wealth rationally and multiplies his father's capital several times over. At the same time, he is constantly engaged in charity and patronage. This man gave all his love without a trace to South Palmyra. Overshadowed by his actions even his father, who did a lot for the formation of Odessa. The further history of the great Greek will be discussed in the next article.

South Palmyra can be called a city of Greek culture. Odessa for the Greeks is the cradle of the Patriotic movement, which helped to gather the spirit and continue to fight the Turkish yoke. In 2018, the Patriotic society "filiki eterii" will be 204 years old! This year marks the 24th anniversary of the Greek cultural Foundation in South Palmyra. In Odessa, there are Greek square, Greek street and Marazlievskaya street. Soon, a Greek Park will adorn southern Palmyra. A huge history and friendship almost from the birth of Odessa-this is what connects Odessa and the Greek people!

To be continued...