The Collaboration of Armenian and Greek Patriarchates After The Armistice Of Mudros

Abstract

Various regions of the Ottoman State had been invaded by the Entente powers after the Armistice of Mudros, signed in 30 October 1918. At these times in which it was thought that the beaten Ottoman State would not be able to recover from this situation again and its territories being split by the Entente powers, the minorities were in the opinion of that it was the proper situation to get their demands against the state. Especially the Greeks and the Armenians having had serious problems with the goverment during the time of war had formed an alliance among themselves under the leadership of the clergy in order to benefit from this armistice atmosphere. The alliance formed by the patriarchs who were the most important clergymen of these two groups in the country was made legal with a memorandum text signed by two parts. In this period of collaboration which would last from signing the Armistice of Mudros to the Armistice of Mudanya these concerned parties, supporting each other for their claims, not only would display a better image in the eyes of Western public but they would also constitute the armed fronts of the collaborationby going along with the Greek and the Armenian gangs that are being active in different regions of the country.